Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced a financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh each from his discretionary fund to the families of Ayush Yoga Sahayak who died in accidents during service. He also announced that the registration of Yoga and Naturopathy practitioners will begin this year.
The Chief Minister said that Yoga has already been included in the curriculum from Classes 1 to 10 in Haryana schools. Taking a step further, exams will now be held for Yoga, Sports, and other such subjects, which will also become part of the formal curriculum. This initiative will inspire children to understand and adopt Yoga from a young age, he said.
The Chief Minister made these announcements during a grand Yoga Mahotsav held in Panchkula, where the Chief Minister also felicitated 264 outstanding performers of the ‘Surya Namaskar 2025’ campaign. Health, Family Welfare, and Ayush Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao was also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister congratulated the winners and wished them a bright, healthy, and successful future. He said that this achievement proves that Haryana is rich in talent and hard work. The participation of Yoga institutions, Ayush Yoga Sahayak, educational institutions, jail department, police, army, and paramilitary forces in the Surya Namaskar campaign is a matter of pride.
Three Portals Launched for Transparency in Ayush Department
To enhance transparency in the Ayush Department, the Chief Minister launched three portals: E-Marketplace Portal, Ayush Medicine Inventory Portal, and E-Medicine Licensing Portal. The E-Marketplace Portal will enable farmers and suppliers of medicinal plants to register and sell their products directly. The inventory portal will allow officials to monitor demand and stock, and the licensing portal will streamline the application process for new and renewed licenses.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the Yoga Mahotsav holds special significance as it comes just 25 days before the 10th International Yoga Day 2025. The 264 individuals honoured today excelled in the recently concluded ‘Surya Namaskar 2025’ campaign. This campaign started on January 12 (Swami Vivekananda Jayanti) and concluded on February 12 (Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati Jayanti), with participation from 46 lakh people.
India Will Become a Global Leader Through Yoga: PM Narendra Modi’s Efforts Make International Yoga Day a Reality
The Chief Minister said that Yoga is now an integral part of life not only in India but around the world, thanks to Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s efforts. The United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day following India’s proposal, which was supported by 177 countries. Under Prime Minister Modi's leadership, this marked the first real step toward reestablishing India as a world leader. Today, Yoga is being embraced globally.
He added that Yoga is a powerful tool for realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Fit India – Hit India.” Yoga is no longer just a part of life, but a way of life.
The Chief Minister said that Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it is a lifestyle gifted to us by ancient sages through years of penance and self-realization. Lord Krishna in the Gita said, “Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam” – Yoga brings skill in action. Yoga is about the union of body, mind, soul, and the divine. This Mahostav is a celebration of Yoga’s significance and a call to integrate it into our lives.
Government aims to make Haryana a Model State in Health
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government aims to make Haryana a model state not only in agriculture and industry but also in health. Yoga is a key tool in achieving this goal. Yoga is being taught in schools, colleges, and universities, he said.
The Chief Minister said that Haryana is the only state where Yoga is part of the curriculum, mandatory from Classes 1 to 12. Besides this, 25,000 education department personnel have been trained as Yoga teachers. The Haryana Yog Aayog has been established to promote Yoga. Shri Krishna Ayush University has been set up in Kurukshetra for promoting Yoga and Ayurveda, he said.
Ancient Science Meets Modernity
The Chief Minister said that the National Institute of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy has been established in Panchkula and a Postgraduate Yoga and Naturopathy Research Institute in Deverkhana, Jhajjar, where OPD services have started.
The government is committed to establishing vyayamshalas in all 6,500 villages of the state, with 1,121 sites identified and construction completed at 714. A total of 877 Ayush Yoga Sahayak have been appointed.
Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, all Ayurvedic dispensaries are being upgraded to Ayush Health and Wellness Centres. So far, 506 have been upgraded, and 126 Yoga Instructors appointed.
Make Yoga an Integral Part of Your Life
The Chief Minister urged the youth to make Yoga an inseparable part of their lives, not just a one-hour exercise but a daily habit. He encouraged dedicating time each day to Yoga, pranayama, and meditation for physical and mental well-being.
He also released the book “The Daily Pause – A Meditation Diary for Busy Lives” by author Madhu Pandit, and two magazines by the Haryana Yog Aayog – “Yog- sadhana se vishwakalyan” and “Surya Namaskar Visheshanka” and a Souvenir.
Yoga- One of India’s Oldest and Most Valuable Traditions – Ayush Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao
Health & Family Welfare and Ayush Minister Kumari Arti Singh Rao welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the Yoga Mahotsav 2025 is an important milestone in preparations for International Yoga Day. It is heartening to see Haryana citizens not only understand Yoga’s importance but also adopt it in their lives.
She said Yoga is one of India’s oldest and most precious traditions, not just physical exercise but a path to mental and spiritual peace. It is a symbol of our culture that the world is now embracing. Since the start of International Yoga Day due to the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi’s efforts, crores of people have joined this movement every year.
She added that the Ayush Department and Haryana Yog Aayog are working tirelessly to bring Yoga education to every citizen. Every village and town will have Yoga instructors, ensuring that people integrate Yoga into their daily lives. She called on everyone to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 with grandeur and commit to making Yoga a part of their lifestyle.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH Departments, Sh. Sudhir Rajpal, said that today’s Yoga Mahotsav 2025 is being celebrated 25 days prior to International Yoga Day on June 21. This signifies that the outline for International Yoga Day has been inaugurated from today itself. The Chief Minister has directed the AYUSH Department to ensure that the program on June 21 for International Yoga Day should be unprecedented—something that the whole world talks about. He added that the Chief Minister has envisioned Yoga Day not just as a program but as a mass movement.
Chairman, Haryana Yog Aayog, Dr. Jaideep Arya, while welcoming Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that the Chief Minister has played a vital role in enhancing the glory of yoga.
He stated that the future of Haryana is in strong hands. He added that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi has taken yoga to the global stage through his efforts. He said Haryana is a land of naturopathy, and by integrating yoga with naturopathy, yoga sahayaks and children can be sent abroad. Additionally, opportunities should be explored to send yoga instructors overseas. He said that Haryana is the only state where yoga has been incorporated into the school curriculum.
Director General, AYUSH Department, Sh. Sanjeev Verma, Vice Chairman, Haryana Yog Aayog, Sh. Roshan Lal and other dignitaries also remained present on this occasion.