Uttarakhand launches India's first dedicated yoga policy
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated the government's commitment to this vision under the newly introduced Yoga Policy 2025. 'We aim to create a robust yoga ecosystem in the state,' said officials. As part of the initiative, the state will establish five international yoga hubs and a Directorate of Yoga and Naturopathy to streamline efforts and ensure quality standards across institutions.
Shailesh Bagouli, Secretary to the Chief Minister, explained the policy's broader objective: promoting yoga as a tool for health and wellness across all sections of society. "Community-based special health programmes will be designed to cater to the needs of different age groups," he said.
The new policy places a strong emphasis on yoga tourism, seeking to position Uttarakhand as a leading international destination for holistic health. To achieve this, the government plans to implement stringent guidelines for yoga teaching institutions and integrate yoga education into school and college curricula. Capacity-building programmes in collaboration with national and global institutions will help train a large pool of qualified yoga experts.
The five new international yoga hubs will be set up at Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Vyas Valley, Tehri Lake, and Kolidhek Lake. These will complement the existing infrastructure in Rishikesh, already a globally recognized yoga destination.
The proposed Directorate of Yoga and Naturopathy will be responsible for overseeing the registration, recognition, and regulation of yoga centres. It will also introduce a rating system to maintain standards and foster national and international partnerships in the field.
To encourage investment and growth in the yoga sector, the Dhami government has announced substantial incentives. Yoga centres established in hill regions will receive up to 50% of the project cost or a maximum of Rs 20 lakh as government grants. Those in the plains will be eligible for 25% or up to Rs 10 lakh.
Over the next five years, the government plans to invest Rs 35 crore in the initiative, with projections to generate over 13,000 jobs. Nearly 2,500 yoga teachers will be certified, and more than 10,000 yoga instructors are expected to gain employment under the policy framework.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Sigachi Industries refutes reactor blast as cause of tragedy, confirms 40 dead and 33 injured
HYDERABAD: Two days after the explosion at a Sigachi Industries facility in Pashamylaram, Sangareddy, the company has stated that the accident was not caused by a reactor explosion. In a press release issued on Wednesday July 2, the company confirmed that the blast on May 30 led to the deaths of 40 workers and left 33 others injured. The company noted that, since the time of the incident, it has been coordinating emergency response efforts, providing support to affected families, and cooperating fully with ongoing investigations and compliance requirements. 'Sigachi Industries Ltd has committed to providing an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 1 crore to the families of the deceased. Those injured will receive full medical care and rehabilitation support,' the statement added.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Uttarakhand Makes It Mandatory For Eateries On Kanwar Yatra Route To Display Food Licenses
Last Updated: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the move was to enforce a 'stringent and dedicated action plan to ensure that devotees receive hygienic and safe food'. Ahead of the Kanwar Yatra, the Uttarakhand government has mandated for all the eateries and food businesses along the yatra route to prominently display their food licences or registration certificates. The Chief Minister's Office said that shops without this display would be shut down. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the move was to enforce a 'stringent and dedicated action plan to ensure that devotees receive hygienic and safe food". Owners of hotels, dhabas, food carts and stalls along the pilgrimage route will have to display a clean copy of their license or registration certificate prominently so that consumers can easily see it, Health Secretary and Commissioner Food Safety and Drug Administration R Rajesh Kumar said. 'Food Safety Display Board' should also be installed in hotels, eateries, dhabas and restaurants at a clearly visible place, so that the customer can know who is responsible for the quality of food. The certificates include the name, photo and other details of the holder. An official communication added, 'Uttarakhand govt urges all religious institutions and vendors to respect devotees' faith by serving safe, pure and quality food. The aim is to balance faith and health on this sacred journey." The yatra is scheduled to start on July 11. In 2024 also, after the Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand governments had mandated that vendors must display their nameplates outside their shops, however, the Supreme Court intervened and stayed the move. The apex court noted that there was no government order empowering the police to give directions in this case. In its order, the court observed that such directions could be issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 or the Street Vendors Act, 2014, to ensure 'shudh shakahari" (strictly vegetarian) food is served to the Kanwar Yatris. Health Secretary Dr R Rajesh Kumar told the media that the licence needs to be exhibited prominently. 'The photograph and the application with which the vendor applied for the licence is to be pasted outside. There should be no confusion over the issue. We have not asked eatery owners to display their names," he said as quoted by the The Indian Express. The health department has formed a strict action plan to ensure safe and pure food through extensive monitoring. Kumar said all food businesses along the route have been given essential instructions that must be followed. 'There will be no compromise on food quality at tents, food centres and other locations during the yatra. Immediate legal action will be taken against those involved in adulteration or standard violations. Pilgrims' health is our top priority," he said. Special teams of food safety officers have been deployed in Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Uttarkashi districts who will regularly collect samples of milk, sweets, oil, spices and beverages, etc. from the pandals and send them to laboratories for testing. If any sample does not meet the standards, the concerned place will be closed immediately, Additional Commissioner Food Safety and Drug Administration Tajbar Singh Jaggi said. (With inputs from agencies) First Published: July 02, 2025, 14:36 IST
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
40 died, 33 injured in Pashamylaram blast: Sigachi Industries
Hyderabad: Sigachi Industries said on Wednesday that the explosion at its facility at Pashamylaram in Sangareddy district resulted in the death of 40 people and left 33 injured. The company issued a brief statement, the first since the blast rocked the facility at Pashamyalaram industrial area in Sangareddy district on Monday. 'It is with anguish that we share details of the accident that occurred at the Sigachi Industries facility in Pashamylaram, Telangana, resulting in the loss of 40 valued team members and one that left over 33 injured,' it said in the statement. 'Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic accident. Since the time of the accident, we have been coordinating the emergency response, family support, and extending cooperation with the investigation and compliance efforts,' it added. Sigachi Industries also stated that it is committed to an ex gratia compensation of Rs one crore to the families of the deceased, while those injured will receive full medical and rehabilitation support. 'As we await the results of the investigation, we would like to clarify that the accident was not caused by a reactor explosion at the plant, as mentioned in sections of the media. We will continue to send updates as we receive information from the investigations,' it said. The company also announced that the plant operations will remain temporarily suspended for approximately 90 days. Meanwhile, state Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha on Wednesday visited the accident site where the rescue operation continued for the third day. He stated that the condition of the injured undergoing treatment at various hospitals is stable. The minister said 11 people were still missing, and the rescue teams continued clearing the debris.
