Mysore/Mysuru: To mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on Sept.17, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Bagadi Gautham has directed officials to gear up for a Mega Yogathon by about 50,000 students at Mysore Race Course premises.

Chairing a meeting of officials in this connection at DC Office recently,  the DC said that already 24,000 students have registered their names to take part in the event and asked officials to make efforts to register another 26,000 students for the mass yoga.

Instructing officials not to pressurise students since examinations are nearing, Dr. Bagadi Gautham asked officials to concentrate on those students who would voluntarily come forward and also told them to ensure that there are no problems for those students who want to participate.

M.N. Nataraj, State Director of Nehru Yuva Kendra, who spoke on the occasion, said that Mysuru  has a very old connection with yoga. Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Mysuru on World Yoga Day, he said that yoga should not be restricted to any one day or just one section of the society. As it has been decided to hold Yogathon at Race Course, Nataraj urged the officials concerned to personally visit the schools and colleges and apprise the Institution heads about the importance of yoga and to rope in more number of students for the mega event.

Yoga Federation of Mysore President Srihari, Vice-President Shashikumar, State Programme Coordinator of AYUSH Vivek, National Service Scheme (NSS) Programme Coordinator Suresh and others were present.