Naidu to promote 'Yoga culture' in Andhra Pradesh, direct officials

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N , has directed the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) to promote Yoga and meditation centres in major temple towns of the state through collaboration with important temple trusts.

In a review meeting with health department officials here last night, the chief minister expressed his views that yoga and 'dhyan' would improve the health of people by reducing stress and emphasised on developing 'yoga culture', an official press release issued here said.

Andhra Pradesh has eight major temple towns such as Vijayawada, Srisailam, Visakhapatnam, Srikalahasti, Annavaram among others, besides the famous Tirupati.

Naidu also directed AYUSH department officials to pursue the matter of setting up of an Ayurvedic and Yoga centre at Tirupati by yoga guru Ramdev.

He said that Ramdev is willing to set up a Yoga centre at Tirupati.

Ramdev during his visit to Rajahmundry for Godavari Pushkaram festival in July, had announced his plans to set up a yoga centre in the state.

In an another decision, Naidu said that heart transplant surgery for the needy would be included in the NTR Health services scheme.