DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Haryana Home and AYUSH Minister, Anil Vij said that efforts are being made to open Yogashalas in every village of the state. So far, 1,000 Yogashalas have been made. Vij was addressing a gathering during the programme organized at War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala Cantonment this morning on International Yoga Day. He said that the Haryana Government is constantly making efforts to promote Yoga for which a Yoga Commission was formed in the state. He said that perhaps only one or two states have yoga commissions in the country which are working to promote yoga. He said that if a Yogashala is not present in the vicinity, then yoga can be done in parks and dharamshalas also. He added that Yoga Day is now celebrated not only in India but all over the world. Today the need of yoga teachers all over the world is being fulfilled from India. Earlier, Sh. Anil Vij also performed all Yogasanas among thousands of Yoga Day participants for 40 minutes as per the Yoga Protocol. Anil Vij said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi spoke at the UNO in the year 2014 to celebrate Yoga Day as International Day and got the support of most of the countries. He said that since then we are continuously celebrating Yoga Day on June 21. Anil Vij said that the purpose of celebrating Yoga Day is that those who are not doing yoga yet should also start yoga. We celebrate Yoga Day because people should make Yoga a part of their lifestyle. He said that yoga is a very ancient science of our country and sages have done a lot of research and determined each and every yoga asana. When we do yoga, it also protects against many diseases and in case of illness too t is helpful. Yoga means that we keep our body and mind in control. During the interaction with the mediapersons, Home and AYUSH Minister, Sh. Anil Vij said that Yoga is necessary for the spiritual practice of body and mind. In Haryana, Yoga Day has been celebrated at two iconic places, first in Kurukshetra and second at Rakhigarhi, where the remains of a very old civilization have been found. Similarly, Yoga Day has been celebrated on a large scale at 75 iconic places in India. Earlier, on his arrival at the venue, Sh. Anil Vij was received by Ambala Divisional Commissioner, Ms. Renu Phulia, DC, Sh. Vikram Singh, ADC, Sh. Sachin Gupta, SP, Sh. Jashndeep Singh Randhawa and other officials. Yoga coach, Sh. Pankaj Bakshi made everyone try various yoga asanas during this event. Sh. Anil Vij also honoured participants and those who did good work for promotion of yoga. (editor@dailyworld.in)