Govt envisages MDNIY to become top global university for Yoga: Sarbananda Sonowal
17 Aug 2021
Government envisages the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) to emerge as the world’s best educational institution in the field of Yoga on a par with the some of the top universities in the world like the Harvard University in the United States.
Addressing students and faculty of MDNIY on Monday, during his maiden visit to the institute after taking charge as the minister of Ayush, Sarbabanda Sonowal said that it could open avenues for thousands of students worldwide to visit India for education and research in Yoga.
“MDNIY can become the number one institute for students all over the world. We need to make global efforts for this. If the US can set up an institute like Harvard, why can't we?” Sonowal pointed out.
The minister emphasised the need for a global approach to fulfil the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “People are standing at India's doorstep in search of beautiful and healthy bodies. At present, MDNIY has all the work, including yoga education, training, medicine and research. There should be hostel arrangements for the students at the university who come from different parts of the country. Excellent hostel facilities at MDNIY will add value to the institution,” Sonowal said.
Ayush minister visited all the classes of the institute and interacted with students. Talking to students, Sonowal said that he practices Yoga every morning for about 30 minutes. He also visited the library, the meditation centre and the campus of MDNIY. He also saw the performances of the students.
MDNIY has so far given yoga training to 18,000 paramilitary soldiers in the last few years, said MDNIY Director Ishwar V Basavaradi. He added that an attempt has been made to introduce Yoga to the inmates and prisoners of Tihar Jail. “Yoga system gives new dimensions to our life. It should be included in your daily routine,” he said.