NEW DELHI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government will set up 100 Yoga parks across the country to promote yoga activities, officials said Saturday.
"The parks will be especially meant for yoga activities throughout the year and will be managed voluntarily by the Yoga or other organizations," Shripad Naik, minister of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) said.
"There are plans that federal government would providing funds to the municipal authorities to hire Yoga instructors to teach the common people about the ancient exercise," the minister said.
Meanwhile, the ministry has geared up to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21.
"Main event will be held in Lucknow, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to attend the celebration," he said, adding "along with PM, senior ministers of government, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yoga Gurus are expected to take part in the mega event."
Over 50,000 people are expected to demonstrate common yoga protocol along with the dignitaries in Lucknow on June 21 to mark International Day of Yoga, he said.
Last year Modi led the second International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh city.
Yoga includes stretching and bending of body besides doing breathing exercises aimed at transforming body and mind.
The United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after Modi, a Yoga enthusiast lobbied for the ancient Indian art.
