The practice of yoga has paved the way for happiness and peace for humans, said Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
He said this after formally inaugurating the week-long International Yoga Festival organised jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam at Rishikesh on Thursday.
Referring to Rishikesh as the Yoga capital of the world, he said that Yoga had helped India gain a special identity in the international community. In addition to the spiritual benefits, Yoga has also given the message of good health to the world.
Prime minister Narendra Modi has also made efforts to achieve special recognition for Yoga in the world which has made India proud. Yogacharyas also played a special role in popularising Yoga among the masses.
Later, the chief minister also visited Chaurasi Kutia and participated in the Ganga Arti in the evening.
Earlier, the Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj spoke of the various achievements of the tourism department.
The department is playing an important role in publicising Yoga and spiritual aspects of Uttarakhand. About the International Yoga Festival being held till March 7, he said that about 1,200 people had registered for the event.
Forty four Yoga experts from across the nation and abroad have been invited to the event.
This event is playing an important role in publicising Yoga and the identity of Rishikesh as the Yoga capital of the world.
“We want tht the knowledge of Yoga in India is spread across the world. Since ancient times it has kept us connected with our culture and today the whole world has acknowledged its importance,” said Maharaj. He also said that in order to boost tourism, the department is developing a home stay scheme.
The chief minister has set a target of 5,000 home stays by 2020. People thinking of going to picturesque places like Dronagiri and Chopta hesitate due to issues related to lodging and other facilities but schemes like home stay will prove vital for bringing such places under international focus.
Till date about 875 home stays have been registered in the state, he said.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Rishikesh MLA and Vidhan Sabha speaker, Prem Chand Agrawal expressed happiness at more people registering for the International Yoga Festival this year as compared to the previous year.
Earlier, the Tourism secretary Dilip Jawalkar welcomed the participants to the event. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam chairman Mahaveer Rangad, Rishikesh mayor Anita Mamgai, public representatives, officials and Yoga enthusiasts from across India and abroad were also present on the occasion.