Schoolchildren to attempt Guinness record in mass Yoga

Programme will be held at 10 centres in DK and 39 in Udupi

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts will make an attempt to enter into the Guinness Book of World Records, with about 72,000 schoolchildren performing a mass Yoga simultaneously at a programme— ‘Yoga for future 2013’ (Bhavishyathigagi Yoga), to be conducted on December 11 between 9.30 am and 10.30 am.

Addressing a press meet here on Monday, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment and District in-Charge Minister B Ramanath Rai said that a unique programme will be organised under the aegis of Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Yoga mathu Naithika Yojane of Shanthivana Trust, Ujire, and Department of Public Instructions and Government of Karnataka.

The minister said that the programme is aimed towards building a healthy society through the medium of Yoga, which represents the true cultural identity of India.

Rai said that 10 venues have been identified in Dakshina Kannada district. In DK district, the programme will be held simultaneously at Sharada Vidyalaya, Mangalore, Swaraj Maidan, Moodbidre, Kalladka Shri Rama Vidyalaya, Shri Satya Sayi Vidya Kendra, Alike, Rathnavarma Stadium, Ujire, Kombettu School ground Vivekananda School ground, St Philomina school ground,  Ramakunja School ground,  and Sullia K V G School ground.

Totally, 27,600 students from 150 schools will participate in Dakshina Kannada district.  
As many as 1,500 teachers and 500 volunteers will take part in the programme in Dakshina Kannada.  Youngest film director Kishan Shrikanth, who shot to fame by entering the Guinness Book of World Records, will be the brand ambassador for ‘Yoga for Future 2013.’

As a part of the programme, the main demonstration will start at 10 am with Suryanamaskara, followed by different asanas like ‘Trikonasana,’ ‘Parshvakonasana,’ ‘Shashankasana,’ ‘Pavana Muktasana,’ ‘Sarvangasana’ and so on. The Yoga demonstration will commence with all-religion prayer and conclude with a hymn for universal peace.

The Minister said that preparatory meetings have been held for the smooth functioning of the programme and the departments of Education, Police, Health and Information will extend their support to the programme.

Brand ambassador for the programme Kishan said that the Mass Yoga programme to be held on December 11 with around 72,000 participants is set to break the earlier records.

Students will attempt to replace the Guinness Book of World Records created by the Vivekanand Kendra in Jiwaji University, Gwalior, on November 19, 2005 when 29,973 students from 362 schools performed  suryanamaskara.

The initiative will help enhance the popularity of yoga through Guinness Record. “Young generation is addicted to social media and are staying away from Yoga. I am happy to be a part of this mass initiative.”

Minister for Health and Family Welfare U T Khader, Assistant Commissioner Prashant,  DDPI Moses Jayashekhar, Additional Deputy Commissioner K C Dayanand among others were present.

In a separate press meet in Udupi, District-in-Charge Minister Vinay Kumar Sorake said that demonstrations will be performed by around 45,000 students in 39 centres of Udupi district. This includes 3,620 students (three centres in Baindur), 12,350 (14 centres in Kundapur block), 6,400 (six centres in Brahmavar block), 10,250 (in eight centres) of Udupi block, 11,497 in eight centres of Karkala block.  
 
One teacher will guide 50 students. The Yoga performance will be videographed in each centre, said coordinator Shailaja Srikanth.