Mass Surya Namaskar is being held in the State continuously since the year 2007. This year, the event marking Yuva Diwas, the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda will be held on January 12. large number of students of all schools, colleges, Panchayats and ashram schools will participate in Surya Namaskar. In view of cold wave, it will be held from 11 am to 12.30 pm. Preparations are in final stage in all the districts.
The State Government has directed all District Collectors, Divisonal Joint Directors of School Education Department, District Education Officers, DIET Principals and District Project Coordinators to ensure maximum participation of voluntary organisations and common people in Surya Namaskar programme. Surya Namaskar will be held simultaneously throughout the State on one signal. The school devoid of a ground will hold the event at nearest ground. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s message will also be broadcast during Surya Namaskar programme.
For success of Surya Namaskar programme, the Government has formed district level committees headed by district collectors. The committees will ensure participation of private educational institutions, concerning departments, organisations, parent-teacher associations, Yoga institutions, Vivekananda Kendras, Kanyakumari Arya Samaj, Vidya Bharti Shiksha Sansthan, Ramakrishna Mission, Gayatri Parivar, tribal hostels, sports clubs, ex-servicemen, Mohalla Clubs, morning walkers, gyms, health clubs, Panchayats, cooperative societies, state-level awardees, remote education centres of Bhoj Universities, town and village protection committees etc.
Chief Minister, Ministers, MPs, MlAs, Mayors, Chairpersons of district and Janpad Panchayats, Nagar Palikas, Nagar Panchayats and corporators will participate in the programme. Educational institutions have also been directed to conduct Surya Namaskar in every educational institution and hostel as per schedule. Students of class V to VIII will participate in it. Students of class I to IV will not participate in Surya Namaskar but will be present as spectators. It will be aired live from all primary channels of radio and Vividh Bharti.
Collectors have been directed to ensure that radios are available at all venues of Surya Namaskar till its entire duration. Higher Education, Tribal Welfare, Panchayats and Rural Development, Urban Administration, Forests, Cooperatives and other departments are also issuing separate instructions to subordinate institutions regarding this.
The government has directed to organise Surya Namaskar compulsorily in all educational institutions. Persons willing to participate in Surya Namaskar can participate in it at any institution. Rehearsal of Surya Namaskar will also be made. Boys will participate in school uniform/ track suit and girls in salwar suit/track suits. The government has provided booklets of guidelines regarding Surya Namaskar to all schools and colleges.
It will be totally voluntary and not binding on any student or person. Mentally and physically ill persons can participate after medical examination. Directives have also been given to principals to ensure participation of chief guest/ special guest. Schools and colleges have been directed to collect information about number of participant students.