Govt holds yoga sessions for staff

In line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment to make yoga an international practice, the central government has taken a decision to inculcate these among its employees and their dependants through yoga training sessions at designated spots.

The first such training session was organised on Wednesday. Participation is not mandatory.

The United Nations has declared June 21 as the 'International Yoga Day' after the prime minister strongly pitched for it in his maiden address to the UN General Assembly.

The United Nation's recognition, officials said, could also figure in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Executive Committee meeting starting in Bengaluru from Thursday.

The sessions are being organised in association with Delhi-based Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and will be free, officials said.

The government has also appointed a nodal officer in each of the Griha Kalyan Kendras and welfare centres of central government employees, where these sessions are being organised.

The Kalyan Kendras and welfare centres are run under the guidance of ministry of personnel, public grievances and pensions. Similar yoga sessions are in the process of being organised in other parts of the country.

Last year, when the National Democratic Alliance government took charge, it introduced a system of mandatory biometric attendance in all offices and made it a rule for all to reach office by 9 am.

That apart, the government is also working on a system to ensure that all files and important documents are moved electronically between departments and also communication between officers.