Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somashekar has directed all concerned departments to make the observance of International Yoga Day on June 21 a meaningful and successful event.
He was speaking while presiding over the preliminary meeting convened in connection with the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Madikeri recently.
Emphasising the significance of International Yoga Day, the Deputy Commissioner instructed all departments concerned to extend full cooperation and discharge their responsibilities effectively to ensure the success of the programme. He specifically directed officials to make necessary arrangements for the transportation of school, college and hostel students participating in the event and to ensure their safe return. Somashekar also stressed the importance of promoting yoga among government officials who routinely work under pressure. He instructed the AYUSH Department to encourage officers to practise yoga regularly and to make optimum use of the facilities available under the department.
Highlighting the potential of integrating yoga with tourism, he said such initiatives could help attract more tourists to Kodagu and create new opportunities for the tourism sector. In this regard, he suggested that the AYUSH Department focus on developing yoga-based tourism initiatives.
District AYUSH Officer Dr. Shailaja G. briefed the meeting on the guidelines issued by the AYUSH Ministry regarding the conduct of International Yoga Day celebrations. She also outlined plans for mobilising yoga practitioners and conducting rehearsals of yoga asanas in accordance with the prescribed yoga protocol.


