In sync with the Centre, the Gujarat Government is planning to celebrate International Yoga Day on large-scale aiming to involve nearly 1.5 crore people, one-fourth of the State population. The State Government has also issued an official circular to the district administrations and asked them to invite voluntary organisations to make the event successful in the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home State. The State Government has also considered Muslim organisation in wake of ongoing controversy on the issue in some of the other States.
Cultural and Yoga training institutes such as Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bochasanvasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sansthan (BAPS), Brahmakumaris, Swadhyay Parivar, Dada Bhagwan Parivar, Ramkrishna Math, Art of living and Patanjali Yoga Kendra are slated to be invited, but the Government resolution (GR) does not name any Muslim organisation.
“Irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region, everyone is invited to participate for the event. The Muslim organizations could come forward voluntarily if they are interested. Invitations have been sent to organisations like lions Club, Rotary Club and others. Over 100 non-Government organisations would partake in the events,” said a senior Government official, who is actively involved in the State-sponsored event.
He informed that the biggest congregation is expected to be held in commercial capital Ahmedabad, where the administration is making arrangements to gather 70,000 people, including around 30,000 youngsters, with a space of 21 square feet each at the sprawling Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) ground.
Ahmedabad Collector Rajkumar Beniwal said that a website would also be launched by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel. The show on June 21 would be a 35-minute event and then it will be continue for five days. The participants will be given training to do Yoga properly. “The State Government has constituted district-level committees to promote public participation on June 21. These committees have been asked to contact the organisations listed in the GR and coordinate with them,” said Manish Bhardwaj, Secretary to Gujarat Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Ministry.