Bangalore… 24 January 2012: Expressing concern over the growing incidence of HIV, AIDS and diabetes in the state, Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister SA Ramadass on Tuesday said the government would shortly launch ‘Start Yoga, Stop HIV’ campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Speaking to reporters after taking part in a demonstration of Yoga in Cubbon Park on January 24 as a prelude to the International Conference on Yoga, Naturopathy and Arogya Expo 2012, scheduled in February by the Department of Ayush, Ramadass pointed out that India was home to the second highest number of HIV patients in the world. “Five districts in Karnataka have recorded very high incidence of HIV. The number of HIV positive children in the state is around 68,000. Therefore we plan to tackle their deteriorating lifestyle by introducing Yoga as a lifestyle practice,” the minister added.
The Ayush Department had already identified 10 villages in the state to promote a healthy way of living through Yoga. “The chief minister (Mr. D.V. Sadananda Gowda) will launch this Start Yoga Stop HIV campaign shortly in all these villages,” Mr. Ramadass said.
Of the 68,000 HIV positive children in the state, 5,000 are orphans while another 3,000 have a single parent. In four districts of North Karnataka, there are about 14,000 HIV positive children. “HIV and AIDS have reached an alarming proportion. We have to rehabilitate all these children and integrate them into mainstream society, a daunting task,” he stated.
The minister also expressed concern over the increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes. “The WHO has estimated that India would have the highest number of people suffering from diabetes by the year 2020. All these developments are worrying factors. It is time we adopted healthy practices to lead a successful life,” Mr. Ramadass added.
Later, the minister, along with along with GN Sreekantaiah, Director, Department of AYUSH and the other 70+ Yoga practitioners performed different forms of Yoga. He was accompanied by Yoga practitioners in the age group of 8 years to 80 years. They performed various internal cleansing techniques [kriyas]; physical postures [asanas]; voluntarily regulated breathing techniques [pranayama]; relaxation techniques [yoganidra] and meditation [dhyana], which address all aspects of health – physical; mental; emotional; social and spiritual – to improve the quality of living.
About International Conference on Yoga, Naturopathy and Arogya Expo-2012 (ICYN)
An initiative of the Department of AYUSH, Government of Karnataka, in association with various international organizations, the aim of ICYN-2012 is to create a global platform for Yoga, Naturopathy, Ayurveda & other traditional practices for the benefit of society on scientifically proven research & development methodologies. ICYN -2012 will create a benchmark for showcasing and creating awareness about traditional practices.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Devaraj
Secretary General, ICYN 2012
M: 94491 66245
devaraj.icyn@gmail.com