Prof.Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister Himachal Pradesh seeking blessing from Swami Ram Dev ji at Bilaspur today.Theindiapost Photo : Anil Dayal
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister today inaugurated the six-day long Yog Vigyan Shivir organized by the Patanjali Yog Peeth, Haridwar at Bilaspur by lighting the lamp. Swami Ramdev ji, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, Forest Minister, Shri Rikhi Ram Koundal and Shri Randheer Sharma, MLAs, prominent people of the area and thousands of followers of Swamiji were present on the occasion.Addressing the congregation, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal thanked Swami Ramdev ji for holding the third Yog Vigyan Shivir in Himachal Pradesh, which provided an opportunity to devotees to practice yogic exercises under his guidance. He said that credit goes to Swamiji for popularizing Yoga all over the world and making people health conscious besides motivating them to lead a healthy and happy life. He said that Yoga had been in practice since time immemorial as saints and sages had been practicing and teaching the same for healthy living.
Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was known as the land of Gods and was blessed with natural gifts, providing pollution-free and healthy environment to the people. He said that practicing Yoga in such environment was more beneficial and convenient as compared to other places. He said that the slogan coined by Swamiji, ‘Rishi Kranti – Krishi Kranti’ was more relevant in the present day world when the society was passing through strain and stress. He said that Yoga and Ayurveda were interconnected for making human beings healthy and strong and added that under the guidance of Swami Ramdev ji, they would further gain popularity.
Prof. Dhumal said that Himachal Pradesh had 7.32 percent of the bio-diversity of the entire country, which if exploited scientifically, could provide adequate raw material for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines. He said that the major chunk of state population was dependent on agriculture for livelihood. He said that the state government was making efforts to diversify the agriculture sector and motivate farmers to cultivate cash crops, flowers and herbs, which could generate them additional avenues of income. He said that cultivation of herbs would be in the best interest of farmers since the raw material for various Ayurvedic medicines was in great demand all over the country.
Chief Minister welcomed the decision of Swamiji to open Patanjali Yog Peeth in Himachal Pradesh and assured all possible help for setting up of the same anywhere suitable to him. He said that with the opening of the Yog Vigyan Peeth in Himachal Pradesh, the State would emerge as a favorite health tourism destination to the people from all over the world. He thanked the Patanjli Yog Vigyan Peeth and Swamiji for choosing Himachal Pradesh to set up its Centre.
Swami Ramdev Ji appreciated the endeavour of the State government to start Yoga teaching in the educational institutions, which would go a long way in character building and moral education to the young citizens of the country. He said that Himachal Pradesh was blessed with immense natural wealth. He said that the Patanjli Yog Peeth had been manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines to supplement the yogic exercises, to make people disease-free. He said that if the farmers could grow
medicinal herbs, the Ayurvedic Medicine Center of the Peeth would procure the same, which would generate income to the farmers. He appealed to the farmers to grow such herbs on wasteland so that the land was gainfully utilized.
Swami ji honoured Kargil Operation Param Vir Chakra Awardee, Hav. Sanjay Kumar, who hailed from the district and appreciated his contribution towards the nation.Shri Ashok Saini of the local organizing committee proposed vote of thanks.