Promote 'Yoga Culture' in Andhra: Chief Minister Naidu Tells Officials

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed the AYUSH department to promote Yoga and meditation centres in major temple towns of the state through collaboration with important temple trusts.

In a review meeting with officials of the health department in Vijayawada last night, the chief minister expressed his views that yoga and 'dhyan' would improve the health of people by reducing stress and emphasised on developing 'yoga culture', an official press release issued said.

Andhra Pradesh has eight major temple towns like Vijayawada, Srisailam, Visakhapatnam, Srikalahasti, Annavaram among others, besides the famous Tirupati.

Mr Naidu also directed the Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy or AYUSH department officials to pursue the matter of setting up of an Ayurvedic and Yoga centre at Tirupati by yoga guru  Ramdev.

He said Ramdev is willing to set up a Yoga centre at Tirupati.

Ramdev during his visit to Rajahmundry for Godavari Pushkaram festival in July had announced his plans to set up a yoga centre in the state.

In another decision, Mr Naidu said heart transplant surgery for the needy would be included in the NTR Health services scheme.