International Yoga Day: Deve Gowda 'accepts' Modi's fitness challenge

Deve Gowda yoga H.D. Deve Gowda performing yoga | Supplied

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy skipped the fourth International Yoga Day event in Bengaluru on Thursday and instead chose to hold a 'Janata Darshan' at his residence to address the grievances of the common man.

Kumaraswamy, in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent fitness challenge on Twitter, had responded, saying yoga and treadmill were part of his routine, but he would rather focus on the development fitness of his state.

The chief minister, who has had two heart surgeries, had attended the International Yoga Day celebration last year.

Yeddyurappa yoga BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa performing yoga | Supplied

Interestingly, Modi's challenge was 'accepted' by the chief minister's father and former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

On Thursday, Deve Gowda (86), clad in white, struck impressive yoga postures with ease. The enthusiasm of the octogenarian seemed infectious as politicians cutting across party lines exhibited their yoga prowess at public events. Deve Gowda who has been training under yoga expert Karthik surprised all by striking complex postures like Sarvaangaasana, Halaasana and Veeraasana.

Yoga is essential for the health of the mind and body, said Kumaraswamy, who greeted the people of Karnataka on the eve of International Yoga Day.

Kumaraswamy said yoga was a spiritual discipline that focuses on achieving harmony between the body, mind and soul.

"It helps keep both the mind and body fresh and active in today's competitive and stressful world. It enlightens the spirit while eliminating the tamas or 'darkness' in our soul. Yoga is dear to me. My family has been practising yoga for decades. My father and my wife too are ardent followers of yoga and practice it daily," said Kumaraswamy, recalling Swami Vivekananda, who professed yoga for increasing knowledge, love and blessing.

"I hope everyone will practice yoga every day and not just on Yoga Day," Kumaraswamy added.

"Today, the PM was in Dehradun and I was watching the International Yoga Day celebration on television. Modi has given it a form though yoga has been there for ages. Health is very important. Yoga has the power to cure different type of ailments, including cancer, with different asanas,” said Deve Gowda, who also recalled his association with Yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar.

"I met yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar in Narasapur many years back. The family was engaged in teaching yoga and ran an institute in Pune. Late Iyengar has won all the awards except Bharat Ratna," Deve Gowda added.

Sharing his secret to good health, the JD(S) patriarch said, "I started as a contractor at 23 and have been a hard worker. I have a fitness regime. I eat lot of vegetables and ragi mudde, have a cup of coffee twice a day. This is the secret of my good health."

"Schools no longer have playgrounds. We used to have a drill master. We used to do Surya Namaskar before starting the lessons. But today, none of it is there," rued Deve Gowda.

In Karnataka, International Yoga Day was promoted through multiple platforms and across the districts.

Mysuru, which entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest yoga demonstration with 55,506 people last year, was disappointed as the heritage city lost out to Dehradun in playing host to Modi, who celebrated the main event of International Yoga Day in the Uttarakand town.