Shri Shripad Naik, Honorable Union Minister of state for AYUSH (independent charge) and MOS Health, Govt. of India, paid a visit to The Yoga Institute on 28th December 2015. He was accompanied by Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddi, Director Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY). The Minister met Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra and in his short but meaningful speech, expressed the need to promote yoga further.
In his speech he shared, “I am very happy to be present at this beautiful Institute which has been serving mankind for almost 100 years silently, scientifically and selflessly. The Yogis at this Institute have been so silent that it sometimes seems that we have been deaf to the wonderful work they are doing. We have to change this and sit at the feet of the Gurus of this exemplary Life School to gain knowledge and seek inspiration on how to spread this ancient wisdom of yoga to all.
Yoga received its much needed fillip, when the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji declared 21st June 2015 as the International Day of Yoga. He graciously invited Smt. Hansaji to share the dais with him on this glorious occasion, acknowledging the immense work The Yoga Institute has done for over 97 years.
Dr. Jayadeva has called The Yoga Institute a ‘Life School’ as it teaches one how to live. It brings to mind the words of the Roman philosopher Seneca, “There exists no more difficult art than living. For other arts and sciences numerous teachers are found everywhere. Throughout the whole of life, one must continue to learn to live…”
All effort at self-improvement is yoga. In different countries at different times man disciplined himself to gain better knowledge and control over himself and his surroundings. In India, this happened through the process of Yoga. Much of what the Yogi discovered and realized has a direct relevance even today. Experiencing deep tranquility, overcoming our doubts, discovering the purpose of life – the Yogi pondered for long over these most fundamental issues of life and found answers to them.
Hansaji whom I had once heard in Delhi had said something very beautiful. She said, “Someone had asked, ‘What is life?’ The answer was ‘It is B to D – Birth to Death.’ Then someone very wisely said, ‘But C is in between B and D. What is that C?’ Well, that C stands for Choice.” One has a choice to live a beautiful life, full of clarity, compassion and caring. This is what one learns through yoga.
Ministry of AYUSH has taken several initiatives for the promotion and propagation of yoga. All leading yoga institutions have combined through Indian Yoga Association (IYA) to cooperate with the Government in its several initiatives. Quality Control of India is also working for standardization of curriculum and certification. MDNIY is working hard to raise the standards of yoga in the country.
I wish The Yoga Institute and all the yoga aspirants the very best on their journey of self-improvement. It has been an honour to have been here at this great institution of learning.”
