Kathmandu, Jan. 15: Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, has spoken of the need of adopting Yoga as an integral part of our life.

Minister Gyawali said this while speaking in the National Yoga Day, Makar Sankranti Main Programme organised by the National Yoga Programme Main Committee here today.

On the occasion, he said that yoga helped people to embrace the real lifestyle. Pointing out that much mental stress has increased in society these days along with modernization, he suggested yoga, meditation and vipasyana practice were the appropriate means for reducing the stress.

Minister Gyawali described yoga as the panacea for a healthy, peaceful and amiable life, underlining the need of including yoga in school curriculum. He said our ancestors practiced yoga and cured many diseases through naturopathy when modern medicine was not yet invented.

Minister for Health and Population Bhanubhakta Dhakal said the government was on a campaign of prevention of disease and in this connection would prioritize on yoga, meditation and ayurveda.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Giriraj Mani Pokharel, said naturopathy and yoga education would be included in the school level from the next academic session. He added that the government would register a bill on institution of Yogamaya Ayurveda University in the parliament during the winter session, keeping yoga in priority. Minister Pokharel also stated that preparations have been made to celebrate the Yoga Day as campaign throughout the year.

President of Patanjali Yoga Committee, Sudarshan Subedi said yoga was necessary for mind control and keep it free from stress.

Swami Ananda Arun proposed marking Yoga Day on the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha while Brahmakumari Kusum said yoga made life happy. Achyut Gautam of The Art of Living suggested including yoga in the secondary level education.

Sonam Sathi, coordinator of the National Yoga Exercise Series formed by the Ministry, handed over a booklet on yoga exercises to Minister Pokharel on the occasion.

A morning procession was also organised on the initiative of the Programme Main Committee today. The morning rally which started from Padmodaya High School marched through Putali Sadak, Bagbazar and Ratna Park and reached the City Hall. Many organisations participated in the rally.

The government has been celebrating Magh 1 of the Nepali calendar as the National Yoga Day every year. The theme of the 5th National Yoga Day this year is 'National Unity: Yoga's Relevance'. The Day has been celebrated across the country by organizing various programmes.