FIRA chief flays mass yoga

Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations (FIRA) President Narendra Nayak has flayed the attempt by the authorities concerned to create Guinness record by performing mass yoga with the help from students.

“If one were to go by the attempt by an organisation in Dakshina Kannada to make an entry into the Guinness book of world records, the question - whether school children are tortured for ego trips - will definitely pop-up,” he said.

Perhaps the person, under whose directions the so called Guinness book of world records entry attempt is being made is also well known for his de-addiction camps, is not aware that this Guinness is a popular Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness (1725–1803) at St James's Gate, Dublin. Guinness is one of the most successful beer brands worldwide. It is brewed in almost 60 countries, Nayak said in a statement.

“When I visited Sharada Vidyalaya in Mangalore on Friday, a few thousand children were lying on the ground and engaged in contortions under the directions of a person on the stage. Also, on the stage were some VIPs including Health Minister U T Khader, who perhaps did not realise that the making children roll on the ground under hot sun will not promote health.

The same question has to be asked to Veerendra Heggade, the organiser of the event, that wasn’t the exercise a way of child abuse to satisfy some one’s ego or to boost one’s sagging image or an attempt to teach yoga?” he added.

As it is known, yoga is supposed to be practiced during Brahmi muhurtha which is around 4.30 am, well before sunrise. In this case, students were made to perform yoga at 10 am or so under the hot sun without any shelter just to ‘create’ an event which could earn one’s place in the Guinness book of world records?

A major question to be asked is that, yoga, a practice that originated and always belonged to the ascetics of ancient India, can be connected to children? Doesn’t the entire exercise amounts to violation of child rights? It is the responsibility of the education department and CWC to take up the issue and start an enquiry, he stated.