Everyone must exercise one hour daily: Min

The Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Prakash Javadekar said that it is essential for people to undertake at least one hour of physical exercise daily. The system of exercise depends on personal choice, he said, while adding that India's traditional system of Yoga had been scientifically proven to be beneficial for the body and mind and had also been accepted by the international community for its benefits. The minister said this while talking to the media on the sidelines of the international day of Yoga programme organized by the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) here on Sunday. The academy held the international day of Yoga programme on its New Hostel Ground with Javadekar and upto 600 officers of Forestry institutions in Dehradun, officer trainees, staff and their family members participating. 

The union minister was welcomed by IGNFA director Vinod Kumarin the presence of Additional Director General of Forests (Forest Conservation) Dr Sharad Singh Negi. The programme was held as per the common protocol of Yoga Asanas and postures as prescribed by the Ministry of AYUSH, and performed under the guidance of trained Yoga instructors. 

An exhibition showcasing 15 Asanas and other Yogic postures was also displayed on the ground. The participants on the occasion also included Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) director general Dr Ashwani Kumar, Forest Survey of India director general Dr Anmol Kumar, Wildlife Institute of India director Dr VB Mathur, Forest Research Institute director Dr Savita, faculty members, IFS probationers of 2013-15 and 2014-16 batches, scientists and research scholars from FRI, WII and FSI, officer trainees from CASFoS and Rangers College, Haldwani among others. 

The minister also attended the Patanjali Peeth Yoga programme organised at Ranger's Ground. BJP State chief Tirath Singh Rawat, leader of opposition Ajay Bhatt and others were  among those present on the occasion.