First Yoga varsity comes up in Guj

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurated first yoga University Lakulish on Thursday. Lakulish Yoga University, established by Life Mission Trust of Gujarat, is claimed to be the first ever such private sector self-financed institution in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Modi said that "Yoga was intentionally neglected by Britishers while they were ruling the country as they feared that through yoga India will become powerful in the world," Modi said inaugurating the Lakulish Yoga University.

"But even after Independence, we didn't come out of the slave mentality and continue to ignore the importance of yoga. And sometimes by equating yoga with communalism, we inflicted a great damage on us," Modi said. Modi, while citing Sanskrit 'shlokas', stressed on the importance of yoga and how it can play a vital and decisive role in the lives of people.

"Today, every human being in the world is confused, unhappy and is seeking inner peace. He does not need materialistic wealth but needs peace and only yoga taught by a professional, an exponent or a complete teacher can facilitate this peace," he said. The university will award degrees for the three-year courses. The state government had earlier enacted a law for creation of a Yoga university in the state.

- Agencies