Mysuru: Stating that yoga is not only a physical exercise but also represents our culture, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) Vice-Chancellor Prof. B.C. Bhagavan said that everyday yoga is a narrative of the significance of our health.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Second State-level Yoga Sammelana hosted by Karnataka Yoga Shikshakara Okkuta as part of International Day of Yoga at Kalamandira yesterday.

Dr. Bhagavan maintained that yoga, apart from being a physical exercise, is also a science that helps in maintaining individual health and the society’s health. Bemoaning that yoga, though with  a history of over a thousand years behind it, failed to get importance because of lack of awareness, he said that the British who ruled the country, failed to establish here firmly.

Expressing disappointment over the present generation’s increasing attraction towards western culture, Dr. Bhagavan stressed on the need for cautioning our youth against failing to learn about our culture, traditions and literature.

Sammelana Chairman Prof. Ramachandra G. Bhat said that the world badly needs peace and co-ordination today and the International Day of Yoga sends this message of peace.

Vidya Vikas Educational Institutions Secretary and BJP leader Kaveesh V. Gowda released ‘Yoga Siri’ souvenir while Yoga Guru Bharath Shetty released the revised edition of the book ‘Yogiraja Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.’

‘Yoga Ratnakara’ award was presented to BNS Iyengar and other yoga achievers.

The event also featured a yoga performance  by students of Bharathi Yogadhama and an expo of articles and photos that appeared in newspapers on yoga by Kalihundi Shivakumar.

Former Sammelana Chairman K.L. Shankarnarayan Jois handed over the flag to  Sammelana Chairman Prof. Ramachandra G. Bhat, also the President of  Bengaluru’s Veda Vijnana Gurukulam, who was brought in a procession from the Old DC Office to the venue  accompanied by a host of cultural troupes.

MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and Darshan Dhruvanarayan, Yoga Sammelana Samiti Working President Dr. S.P. Yoganna, Convenor N. Ananthu, Vice-President B.P.Murthy, District Kannada Sahitya Parishat President Maddikere Gopal, District AYUSH Officer Dr. Renukadevi, Sridhar Dikshit, Narayan Hegde, K. Leela Prakash and others were present.