Karnataka: Political leaders practice yoga amid COVID-19 pandemic

Bengaluru: Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday, June 21 stressed the importance of practicing yoga regularly for maintaining one’s mental, physical and emotional health, as the International day of Yoga celebrations saw people in Karnataka celebrating it in a low key manner, with COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Schools, parks, clubs and playgrounds in Bengaluru wore a deserted look, unlike in previous years, as people did not congregate there due to the restrictions.

Many ministers and government officials shared images of them performing Yoga. State ministers B C Patil and S T Somashekar performed yoga together at a lawn and shared the videos and images. The Pantanjali Yoga Kendra members performed Yoga on the Parakala Math premises in Mysuru, maintaining social distancing.

The Karnataka unit of BJP celebrated the day at the basement of the party office, where the state BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel and other office bearers performed it.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, who represents Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, too shared his photographs and Yoga Day message on Twitter, saying it helps in boosting immunity and is the most effective way to combat COVID-19.

The Governor and Chief Minister greeted the people on the day. Sharing images of the Governor performing solo Yoga, the Raj Bhavan, in a press release, quoted him urging people to perform it regularly to boost immunity and improve mental, physical and emotional health.