International yoga festival kicks off in Rishikesh

International yoga festival, organised jointly by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, has kick started in Rishikesh. “The practice of yoga has paved the way for happiness and peace for humans,” said Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat after inaugurating the event.

Referring to Rishikesh as the Yoga capital of the world, he said that Yoga had helped India gain a special identity in the international community. In addition to the spiritual benefits, Yoga has also given the message of good health to the world, he said.

About 1,200 people had registered for the week-long International Yoga Festival being held till March 7. Forty four Yoga experts from across the nation and abroad have been invited to the event.

“In order to boost tourism, the department is developing a home stay scheme. The chief minister has set a target of 5,000 home stays by 2020. People thinking of going to picturesque places like Dronagiri and Chopta hesitate due to issues related to lodging and other facilities but schemes like home stay will prove vital for bringing such places under international focus. Till date about 875 home stays have been registered in the state,” said Tourism and Culture minister Satpal Maharaj.