Chandigarh July 5: While taking a major stride towards promoting sports infrastructure in rural areas and fulfilling his promise of setting up of 1000 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas in the State in first phase, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal today inaugurated 98 newly constructed Park-cum-Vyayamshalas in the State through video conferencing here today.

Yesterday only, the Chief Minister has inaugurated 12 such Vyayamshalas in district Sonipat and with today’s inauguration, the total number such sports facilities in the State has reached to 511 with work on additional 300 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas is expected to be completed within in next few months.

Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that this year, the State Government has also proposed to set up additional 1000 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas in the State for which a provision of Rs 250 crore has also been made in the budget. Besides, in line with the Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi’s call for promoting AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres, the State Government is contemplating to set up a Health and Wellness Centre of two-three rooms in all its Park-cum-Vyayamshalas for achieving comprehensive health care.

While Cooperation Minister Dr Banwari Lal and Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Om Prakash Yadav were also present on this occasion here, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Dushyant Chutala digitally joined the inauguration ceremony from Hisar, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Mr Krishan Pal Gurjar from Faridabad, MP Mr Sanjay Bhatia from Gharaunda, Education Minister Mr Kanwar Pal from Yamunanagar, Sports Minister Mr Sandeep Singh from Panchkula and Minister of State for Women and Child Development Mrs Kamlesh Dhanda from Kurukshetra. Apart from this, other Ministers, MLAs, CEOs and Chairman of Zila Parishads also joined through video conferencing from different parts of the State.

Mr Manohar Lal inaugurated one Park-cum-Vyayamshalas each in districts Ambala, Gurugram, Kaithal, Kurukshetra, Panchkula, Panipat and Rewari, 10 in district Bhiwani, 6 each in districts of Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Karnal and Mahendergarh, 7 in Fatehabad, 4 in Hisar, 9 in Jhajjar, 13 in Jind, 2 each in Palwal and Yamunanagar, 8 in Rohtak and 12 in Sirsa. The Chief Minister had earlier inaugurated 12 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas in Sonipat yesterday.These Park-cum-Vyayamshalas have been constructed at a cost of over Rs 28.29 crore.

Greeting the people on the occasion of Guru Purnima today, Mr Manohar Lal said that today’s function assumes a special significance as he is dedicating Park-cum-Vyayamshalas to the people on this pious occasion. He said that as in the ancient times, Yoga was practiced in the Gurukuls for the overall development of mind, body and soul, these Vyayamshalas would also not only help people staying physically fit but also play a vital role in their intellectual growth and development. The Chief Minister said that he himself practiced yoga daily for 45 minutes in the morning.

Mr Manohar Lal said that with the persistent efforts of Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, Yoga got recognition not at the national level but world over as 170 countries have adopted yoga irrespective of different religion. He said that every year, June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day. This year, we celebrated 6th International Yoga Day. Though due to COVID-19, this time people practiced yoga with their family members only by staying at their homes with social distancing, he added.

He said that while acknowledging the benefit of Yoga in day-to-day life of people, the present State Government had decided to construct Vyaymshalas in 1000 gram panchayats in the first phase out of total about 6500 gram panchayats in the State. He said that 1107 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas were taken up for construction in the State which included 921 two acres Vyayamshalas and 186 four acres Vyayamshalas and with today's inauguration 521 such sports facilities have been completed.

The Chief Minister said that to ensure the active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the development process of the State, the work for maintenance and upkeep of these Vyayamshalas would be handed over to Zila Parishads. Apart from this, AYUSH assistants would also be recruited at district level who would be assigned different works in the Park-cum-Vyayamshalas for generating awareness among the people for improving the body immunity besides plantation of Ayurvedic medicinal plants in the park complex.

While underlining the significance of Yoga especially in this time when the whole world is battling with the Corona crisis, he said that Prime Minister, Mr Narenda Modi has called upon the people of the country to aspire for an Atamnirbhar Bharat. We would only be able to realize his vision when each and every citizen of our country is in the forefront be it in education, health, employment or any other field, said the Chief Minister.

Earlier, speaking on this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr Dushyant Chautala thanked the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for inaugurating new Park-cum-Vyayamshalas in different districts of the State and said that it would prove to be a milestone in further strengthening the rural sports infrastructure in the State. He also congratulated the officers of Development and Panchayats Department and Deputy Commissioners for timely completion of these Vyayamshalas.

In her inaugural address, Chief Secretary, Mrs Keshni Anand Arora while thanking the Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal on behalf of the State Government said that an amount of over Rs 28.29 crore has been spent on the construction of 110 Park-cum-Vyayamshalas. She said that on the occasion of International Yoga Day on June 21 last year, Mr Manohar Lal had also dedicated 401 Vyamshalas to the people of the State. She said that Mr Manohar Lal is of the view that such types of Vyamshalas should be opened in each village of the State.

Among those present on this occasion included Director, AYUSH Mr Atul Kumar, Director Panchayats Mr Sushil Sarwan, Director Rural Development Mr Hardeep Kumar and other senior officers of the State Government.