Schoolchildren in a few taluks of Karnataka may soon have an addition to their curriculum, Yoga, as the state government is planning to introduce it in schools to improve students’ health.
GN Sreekantaiah, director, Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (Ayush), announced this at a press meet on Thursday.
He said that each taluk that had been selected — Hiriyur, Challakere, Jagalur, Muddebihal — has around 200 schools, private as well as government. He added that Yoga would be taught to students of classes VII to X. Sreekantaiah said that to begin with, Ayush was planning to teach Yoga to a few teachers from these schools.
He said practising Yoga made one immune to diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Further pointing out its benefits, he said it improved one’s physical and mental health.
The director claimed that Ayush was now equipped to tackle and control anaemia. He said the department would launch a pilot project where anaemic students would be treated. Further, he said, the students would be monitored scientifically and information about it would be released later.
Students for this pilot project would be selected from five-six schools each from Hassan, Gadag, Bangalore and Mysore districts, he added.
Sreekantaiah pointed out that intake of drumstick and amla is the best way to combat anaemia as these items are rich in iron, Vitamin A and reduce constipation.
