Government of India is commemorating Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsava, and the Ministry of Ayush has proposed events to mark the countdown to the International Day of Yoga (IDY). Today, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the Government of India, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), held a countdown event to the IDY-2022 Yogotsav in Somnath, Gujarat. Yogotsav's main theme is Yoga combined with healthy living and nutritious food.
Parshottam Rupala, Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, graced the Yogotsav as Chief Guest, joined by Devabhai Malam, Minister of State, Animal Husbandry and Cow-Breeding, Government of Gujarat, Rajesh Chudasama, Member of Parliament (Junagadh-Gir, Somnath), and Atul Chaturvedi.
The event began with dignitaries lighting a lamp, followed by Niramdan Gadhvi's folk performance 'Dayro' and Apurva Om's yoga performance. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the NDDB, welcomed the dignitaries and dairy farmers from the surrounding areas.
In his address to the Yogotsav, Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Government of India, stated that the global acceptance of Yoga is a source of pride for India because Yoga is an integral part of our cultural and spiritual heritage. Not only does one require exercise (via Yoga), but also healthy and nutritious food. Milk is well known to be a good source of all vital essential nutrients and nearly complete food. Today, we are the world's largest milk producer, with an annual production of 209.96 million tonnes in 2020-21.
The sector is especially important for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and job creation in rural areas because it provides a vital link between industry and agriculture and is extremely important for India's development. He introduced the Gobar gas slurry-based organic manure and the NDDB-developed Shishu Sanjeevni (Suposhan Kit).
Atul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, emphasized that when applied to communities and societies, Yoga provides a path for sustainable living, and the department aims to bring more people into the fold of the activities of IDY-2022 as a Mass Movement for Health and Wellbeing by promoting Milk and Dairy products. He stated that the Department is running several schemes for the benefit of dairy cooperatives, individuals, and private companies, eradication of animal diseases such as FMD and Brucellosis, and ensuring animal feed and fodder availability.
Devabhai Malam, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Cow-Breeding, Government of Gujarat, and Rajesh Chudasama, Member of Parliament (Junagadh-Gir, Somnath) highlighted the importance of Yoga in our daily lives, and this event will create an impact and resolve to propagate and cultivate the spirit of Yoga in our lives and world views.
The Union Minister joined thousands of dairy farmers from Junagadh, Amreli, Gir Somnath, and Rajkot in a yoga session at the Somnath Temple Premises against the backdrop of the setting sun in the Arabian Sea. More than 7 lakh dairy farmers from various cooperatives and milk producer companies practiced yoga virtually connected in the Yogotsav.
GN Singh, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, concluded the event by thanking all dignitaries, state administration, NDDB, GCMMF, and participating dairy farmers. He stated that the Department will observe International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2022 on June 21, 2022, at Modhera Sun Temple in Gujarat.
