Daily yoga must for Central forces

New Delhi, June 29

Daily yoga has now been made compulsory for the 10 lakh-strong Central paramilitary forces as part of their physical drill.

A directive issued to the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) by the Union Home Ministry said they should also ensure that yoga is practised even at active duty areas like border posts and those in the Left Wing Extremism affected states of the country.

The CAPFs were directed to implement the Yoga drill on a “priority” and that an action taken report be submitted. “Physical exercises are part of daily routine of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles personnel in various field formations such as battalions, group centres, border outposts, etc. Keeping in view the importance yoga has gained in recent time, it would be prudent to include it as part of daily physical exercise of the forces in various field establishments,” a directive from the Home Ministry said.

The directive has been issued to the six CAPFs like Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, National Security Guard and the Assam Rifles which work under the command of the Union Home Ministry.

The order has asked the Directors General of the forces to issue appropriate instructions to their field formations spread across the country and also submit an action taken report in this regard.

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition and it is the responsibility of everyone to preserve it by adopting it as a part of daily activity. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to incorporate Yoga as part of daily routine of  force personnel,” the order added. — PTI