Kadaba yoga prodigy Akshaya Babubettu shines in capital event
Bengaluru: In a proud moment for rural Karnataka, Grade V student Akshaya Babubettu from the Government Higher Primary School in Yenekallu, Kadaba taluk, was invited as a special guest by the state government to participate in the National Yoga Day celebrations held in front of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over the grand event, which saw the participation of over 5,000 yoga practitioners. Akshaya was given a five-minute slot to perform live on the main stage, showcasing her exceptional yoga talent. She was accompanied by her parents and yoga instructor Sharath Margiladka, following an official invitation extended by the government.
Akshaya, the daughter of Mohan Kumar and Divya from Baladi in Yenekallu village, has been undergoing training at the Nirantara Yoga Centre and has already amassed an impressive array of accolades. She has won six gold medals, one silver, and three bronze medals in various competitive yoga events, standing out for her dedication and discipline at a very young age.
Among her most remarkable achievements is her entry into the World Wide Book of Records and the London Book of Records for holding the Hanumanasana pose for 50 minutes and 20 seconds, a rare accomplishment that sets her apart on the global stage.
Her growing list of accolades includes a 6th-place finish at the 9th International Yoga Day Championship held in July 2023 in Koramangala, a 2nd-place win at the B.K.S. Iyengar Memorial National Yoga Championship in August 2023 in Bengaluru, and a 7th-place finish at the World Fitness Federation of Yogasana Sports in the Sub-Junior Girls category. She also holds a record in the International Yoga Book of Records for maintaining the Natarajasana pose for one full minute.
She has also bagged several medals in other high-profile competitions. These include a 3rd-place win at the 15th National Yogasana Championship organized by the Yogasana Sports Federation of India, a bronze medal at the Puneeth Rajkumar Memorial State-Level Championship in Shivamogga, and gold medals in the taluk-level event at Bilinele, the Dasara State Meet in Mysuru, the state-level competitions in Moodbidri, and at the Ganga International School in Bengaluru. She also secured bronze medals at national-level events in Rajajinagar and Mysuru, and topped it all with a gold medal at the International Yoga Championship held in Dubai in May 2025.
Akshaya's outstanding talent came to light during Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader's visit to Kudmaru village. Her achievements were brought to his attention by her parents, former Taluk Panchayat member Fazal Kodimbala, and local school teacher Khader.
Moved by her inspiring story, Speaker Khader personally recommended her name to District In-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, which led to her official inclusion in the prestigious state-level event.
Speaking to reporters Fazal Kodimbala said, 'It is a matter of immense pride that a government school student from a remote village has been recognized and invited by the Karnataka government to perform at such a significant occasion. Acknowledging such rural talent is vital—it gives wings to many more aspiring children from similar backgrounds.'
Akshaya's participation in the Bengaluru event is not just a celebration of her achievements but a strong message about the potential that exists in rural government schools. Her story stands as a powerful testament to how talent, dedication, and timely recognition can break social and geographical barriers, allowing young children to dream big and achieve even bigger.
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Hans India
22-06-2025
- Hans India
Kadaba yoga prodigy Akshaya Babubettu shines in capital event
Bengaluru: In a proud moment for rural Karnataka, Grade V student Akshaya Babubettu from the Government Higher Primary School in Yenekallu, Kadaba taluk, was invited as a special guest by the state government to participate in the National Yoga Day celebrations held in front of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over the grand event, which saw the participation of over 5,000 yoga practitioners. Akshaya was given a five-minute slot to perform live on the main stage, showcasing her exceptional yoga talent. She was accompanied by her parents and yoga instructor Sharath Margiladka, following an official invitation extended by the government. Akshaya, the daughter of Mohan Kumar and Divya from Baladi in Yenekallu village, has been undergoing training at the Nirantara Yoga Centre and has already amassed an impressive array of accolades. She has won six gold medals, one silver, and three bronze medals in various competitive yoga events, standing out for her dedication and discipline at a very young age. Among her most remarkable achievements is her entry into the World Wide Book of Records and the London Book of Records for holding the Hanumanasana pose for 50 minutes and 20 seconds, a rare accomplishment that sets her apart on the global stage. Her growing list of accolades includes a 6th-place finish at the 9th International Yoga Day Championship held in July 2023 in Koramangala, a 2nd-place win at the B.K.S. Iyengar Memorial National Yoga Championship in August 2023 in Bengaluru, and a 7th-place finish at the World Fitness Federation of Yogasana Sports in the Sub-Junior Girls category. She also holds a record in the International Yoga Book of Records for maintaining the Natarajasana pose for one full minute. She has also bagged several medals in other high-profile competitions. These include a 3rd-place win at the 15th National Yogasana Championship organized by the Yogasana Sports Federation of India, a bronze medal at the Puneeth Rajkumar Memorial State-Level Championship in Shivamogga, and gold medals in the taluk-level event at Bilinele, the Dasara State Meet in Mysuru, the state-level competitions in Moodbidri, and at the Ganga International School in Bengaluru. She also secured bronze medals at national-level events in Rajajinagar and Mysuru, and topped it all with a gold medal at the International Yoga Championship held in Dubai in May 2025. Akshaya's outstanding talent came to light during Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader's visit to Kudmaru village. Her achievements were brought to his attention by her parents, former Taluk Panchayat member Fazal Kodimbala, and local school teacher Khader. Moved by her inspiring story, Speaker Khader personally recommended her name to District In-Charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, which led to her official inclusion in the prestigious state-level event. Speaking to reporters Fazal Kodimbala said, 'It is a matter of immense pride that a government school student from a remote village has been recognized and invited by the Karnataka government to perform at such a significant occasion. Acknowledging such rural talent is vital—it gives wings to many more aspiring children from similar backgrounds.' Akshaya's participation in the Bengaluru event is not just a celebration of her achievements but a strong message about the potential that exists in rural government schools. Her story stands as a powerful testament to how talent, dedication, and timely recognition can break social and geographical barriers, allowing young children to dream big and achieve even bigger.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
Bengaluru stampede: Siddaramaiah says he got invite hours before event; blames RCB, KSCA
Footwears lie on the ground outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium following a stampede after a large number of fans gathered for the felicitation of IPL 2025 winning RCB, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: In an attempt to distance his government from the Bengaluru stampede, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday reiterated that the RCB team felicitation event held in front of Vidhana Soudha on June 4 was not organised by the state government. He said the programme on the steps of Vidhana Soudha was arranged by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). "On June 4, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and RCB organised a felicitation programme for players. I was invited at 11.29 am that day and I accepted it. The chief secretary also called me. I had said 'go ahead.' The governor also attended the event. There are media reports that the governor had come to the event on his own. It is not correct," Siddaramaiah said. Also read: Siddaramaiah distances government from Bengaluru stampede, blames top cop Talking to reporters, he said, "Political secretary to the CM K Govindraj (who has now been removed from the post) rang up Raj Bhavan and handed over the call to me stating that the governor was also coming. I spoke to the governor and told him that I'm going to the felicitation event. You too please come. I called him." "So, the governor too attended the felicitation event, which ended in 20 minutes as there was rain and both o f us left thereafter. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo This is what happened. Newspapers and TV channels have reported that no one had invited the governor and he had come on his own, so I'm giving this clarification," he added. When asked whether an official invitation had been sent to the governor before the call, Siddaramaiah said, "I don't know who invited or not. I called him as I was attending the event." The stampede that occurred during celebrations outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) victory celebrations claimed 11 lives. Following the Bengaluru stampede, the Karnataka Government on June 5 suspended top police officials at the Cubbon Park Police Station and formed a one-man commission under a retired High Court Judge to probe the incident. When asked about increasing compensation for the stampede victims, Siddaramaiah said that Rs 25 lakh has been given to the families of each person who died. "We will discuss it in the cabinet," he added. Replying to a question about the opposition BJP's protest demanding his resignation over the stampede, he said the opposition is doing politics. "They will do politics. The BJP lies and misleads the people and then demands resignation. During Kumbh Mela 40-50 people were killed due to stampede. Did they demand resignation then? A bridge collapsed on the inauguration day, people were killed. Did they demand the PM's resignation? How many were killed in the Godhra incident. Who was the CM then in Gujarat? During Covid without oxygen supply people died. Did Basavaraj Bommai (former Karnataka CM from BJP) resign then?" he said.
News18
11-06-2025
- News18
‘Was Consulted': Siddaramaiah Changes Stance On RCB Event Week After Bengaluru Stampede
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