CPI-M, BJP to mark International Yoga Day

Thiruvananthapuram: The stage is all set for the commemoration of International Yoga Day in Kerala on Tuesday with the CPI-M, heading the ruling LDF and BJP, besides various social and cultural organisations getting ready to organise yoga displays across the state.

While BJP is organising state-wide programmes to mark the day, CPI(M), under the aegis of Indian Martial Arts Academy, a party-supported outfit, is gearing up to hold yoga displays in all districts.

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar will be the chief guest in BJP's Yoga Day celebrations to be held here on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate a mass yoga display, organised by the Academy, at Kollam beach.

"Around a thousand people are expected to participate in the mass yoga display in Kollam. Besides the Chief Minister, dignitaries from various walks of life including social, religious and cultural leaders and sports personalities are expected to participate in the event," CPI(M) leader and former MP K N Balagopal said.

Similar sessions would be held in other districts, including in the capital city also to mark the occasion.

The left party is aiming to promote the secular aspect of yoga among public by organising such event, party sources said.

The party-sponsored Academy had organised a mass yoga session in CPI-M bastion Kannur in north Kerala earlier this year.

Titled Chetana Yoga, the 'asanas' had been performed sans any special prayer or chanting of mantras during the display.

Several party bigwigs, including the present CM and politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan and party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had witnessed the performance.

Meanwhile, a BJP release said Javadekar would be the chief guest in a commemorative programme, which mainly comprises display of yoga, at an auditorium here in the morning.

The Vivekananda Padhana Vedi, a local forum and various other cultural outfits are jointly organising the event.

A large number of dignitaries, including BJP state president Kummanom Rajasekharan and social and cultural leaders would also attend the programme.

A yoga session will be organised in Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Kerala Governor, tomorrow (Tuesday) to mark the day, a release said.