• Two vaccine doses or negative RT-PCR report must
• Breakfast, yoga mat, mobile pouch and shoe bag will be provided

Mysore/Mysuru: “About 12,000 yoga enthusiasts have so far registered for the eighth International Day of Yoga (IDY) – 2022 celebrations with the theme ‘Yoga for Humanity’ led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the iconic Mysore Palace premises on June 21. The number of participants at the mega yoga event has been restricted to 15,000,” said District In-charge Minister S.T. Somashekar.

Disclosing this to presspersons after chairing a preliminary meeting with Officials at the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) Office in city last evening, he said the Union Government will completely manage the event. The State Government will only implement the directions given by the Centre.

The Central Government has stressed to focus on the quality and not on the quantity with regard to participants. A high-level Yoga Committee of 23 members has been formed with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai as the Chairman and Health Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar as the Vice-Chairman, who will oversee all the arrangements, he said.

The CM and Health Minister have held virtual meetings in this regard after the instructions from the Union Government and AYUSH Ministry, he said and added that AYUSH Commissioner of Karnataka is the Nodal Officer for the programme.

17 blocks created

Stating that 17 blocks will be created for yoga enthusiasts in 10 lakh sq. ft area at the Palace premises, the Minister said that two blocks are reserved for the VIPs and 15 blocks for the participants. In each enclosure, about 1,000 participants from different sections of the society including students, labourers, daily wagers, specially-abled persons, transgenders, auto drivers, safaikarmacharis and others will be accommodated, he said. Besides, 170 mobile toilet facilities will also be made available.

All the participants will be provided a yoga mat, mobile pouches and shoe bags by the AYUSH Ministry. Participants will also receive invitations from the Central Government. They will have to reach the venue before 5.30 am and the gates will be closed later. Thermal screening will be done before participants enter the venue. The State Government will organise breakfast for all the participants after the event.

Vaccination/ RT-PCR must

The participants must have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination or carry a negative-RTPCR report taken 72 hours before the programme.

COVID is mild

Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister Dr. K. Sudhakar, who too spoke, said that though there is a spike in COVID cases, the intensity of the infection and the symptoms are mild among the patients.

“A lot of emphasis has been laid on cleanliness before and after the mega event. Health Department staff will be present at the venue. Anyone having ILI symptoms like fever, cough and cold will not be allowed to take part in the event. Ambulance will be kept in reserve for any emergencies,” he disclosed.

MLA S.A. Ramdas, MP Pratap Simha, DC Dr. Bagadi Gautham, City Police Commissioner Dr. Chandragupta, SP R. Chethan, ZP CEO B.R. Poornima, MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, Additional DC Dr. B.S. Manjunathaswamy and others were present at the meeting.