By Dominick Rodrigues
Panjim: “Yoga is like self-physiotherapy and people can freely learn and practice its various forms of exercises – like doctors often teach their patients — as a way of life for their good health in their own homes while saving both time and money in running around, according to Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, Waterways and Tourism.
The Minister was talking to the Financial World correspondent in Goa on the eve of World Yoga Day observed on June 21 this year.
He said that ever since Yoga Day was declared by the United Nations on June 21 in 2014 with as many as 170 nations seconding this resolution, many countries around the globe have participated in this exercise from 2015 on that day where people flex their bodies to the rhythm of yoga.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that as part of India’s 75th anniversary, the areas of around 75 of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)-protected +iconic+ monuments were chosen to become the sites for holding yoga sessions on that day, besides a common yoga protocol being held that morning at the same time.
He said that these included Goa’s iconic +Se Cathedral+ area in the heritage Old Goa and the +Fort Aguada+, and all yoga associations and clubs like Rotary, Giants and others in the State have been invited to participate in the event, besides the BJP asking all panchayats in Goa to join in the yoga programme, that would witness around 800 participants in the Old Goa site itself.
Naik told mediapersons later at a press conference that “Yoga; A Way Of Life” was the theme for the event, which was live-streamed to the world along with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message, and also witnessed the participation of schools and selected colleges.
Indian embassies and consulates around the world too participated in the yoga programme by holding such sessions. “We plan to start teaching yoga in schools,” he said in response to a query.
Highlighting the Union Tourism ministry’s plans to attract international tourists and increase tourist footfalls in the post-Covid scenario, The Minister said “We are searching for new sites including beaches and developing them by providing funds through our tourism schemes. From last year to this year, we have taken up 79 such projects of which some are completed and others in stages of completion, besides also completing 39 sites this year in the ASI and Iconic sites section.”
“Tourism is also going to get a big boost through the +Sagarmala+ project as we are developing the entire coastline of India to promote tourism, besides commerce and other activities,” he said while noting that with the budget for tourism being increased much in comparison to last year, over 300 tourism projects are in the pipeline.
The Minister reiterated Goa’s uniqueness in the tourism scenario by pointing out that the State is not only the leading tourist destination in India but also among the best in the world. “The number of international tourists arriving in Goa outnumber even the Goan population figures,” he said.
He said plans had been made to have a +Boat Marina+ in Goa but the project had been opposed by some people. “Goa needs a Marina to become an international boating destination and our government is trying to get it done because such a marina will ensure that we get high-spending, longer-staying tourists, besides locals getting more job opportunities and their financial status being improved,” he said, adding that once the Marina become a reality, the Government would also be looking at international +angling+ sport activities.
“We are also looking at inland tourism, agro-tourism as tourists would like to view and even sample the unique lifestyle, cuisine of many villages besides also trekking through the thick forests,” he said.
“In view of Goa being a popular tourist destination, the Central Government is encouraging tourism projects by providing the required budget and ready to provide more if needed. While we have completed now several projects in Goa including development of the famed Calangute and Colva beaches, we are now eyeing the Oceans and viewing the possibility of having here an aquarium-type +Marine Sanctuary+ where people can see the variety of fish life in the sea.”
To a query about when this marine sanctuary would become a reality, Naik said that the Goa Government had to come forward with this proposal. Wildlife projects including sanctuaries in Goa also needed to be upgraded, while vigilance has to be stepped up against shipping illegally dumping their oil waste into the coastal areas of Goa that often result in tar balls blackening the sandy shores and other sea-facing areas, he said.
While collection agencies continue to be on the job for cleaning up the aftermath of tourists waste dumping, the ports too are involved in the waste gathering process including even out at sea, he added.
Vinod Kumar, Deputy Director, PIB highlighted the fact that June 21 witnessed the “Summer Solstice”, which is the longest day of the year.
