Cong MP to move Bill seeking compulsory yoga in schools

One would normally associate this sort of measure with some die-hard swayamsevak from within the ranks of the Sangh Parivar. But,for a change,it is a Congress member of the Lok Sabha,Satpal Maharaj,who is set to introduce a private members Bill seeking compulsory teaching of yoga in schools in the current winter session of Parliament. If the two Houses start functioning normally,the Bill may come up in the Lok Sabha on November 26. Maharaj,who represents the Garhwal constituency,is also a spiritual leader of sorts,heading a sect called the Manav Utthan Samiti,founded by his father. He is also chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence. The Compulsory Teaching of Yoga in Educational Institutions Bill stipulates that the Central government should make it mandatory for all schools,except minority institutions,to teach yoga as a compulsory subject. The syllabi,level of class for the introduction of the course and qualifications for teachers may be determined by an advisory council,comprising people with expertise in yoga and education. The non-complying institutions,according to the Bill,should invite derecognition.

As far as minority institutions are concerned,the Bill leaves it to their management to decide whether or not they wish to include yoga in their curricula.

Though the financial memorandum appended to the proposed legislation says it is difficult to work out the exact expenditure needed from the Consolidated Fund of India to ensure the payment of adequate funds to the states for implementation,Maharaj estimates that the non-recurring expense will be around Rs 100 crore.

Maharaj told The Indian Express that he felt called upon to make a case for compulsory teaching of yoga in schools because it is gaining popularity all over the world,particularly in the West,while we are feeling shy of initiating our youth into it.

Citing the examples of the Chinese,who have successfully propagated and established acupressure in the entire world,Maharaj said the country needed to recognise and tap the full potential of yoga. Apart from building physical fitness,yoga enables an individual to develop a perfect mental health and cure a wide range of disorders, he added.