YOGA UNIVERSITY, near HARIDWAR

2. India's Vice President Launches Yoga University

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HARIDWAR, INDIA, April 6, 2006: Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today launched the first Yoga University of the country, Patanjali Yoga Peeth, a dream project of Swami Ramdev at Bahadarabad near Haridwar. In his inaugural address, Mr. Shekhawat said, Swami Ramdev has assured the right to lead a healthy and disease free life to all. Uttaranchal Chief Minister N. D. Tiwari, who presided over the function, declared that the University had been empowered to open its colleges in all parts of the country. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad announced that a railway station would be built at the project site about 15 km from Haridwar. Swami Ramdev, who is the life-long chancellor of the university, said his mission was to provide peace, health & sanskars (moral values) to the people through yoga, ayurveda and spirituality.

Additional report by HPI's Delhi correspondent, Rajiv Malik:

Hundreds of leading Hindu saints participated in the opening, along with many important politicians. The entire program was broadcast by Aastha TV. It was an impressive show of support for Baba Ramdev's project. To entertain thousands of sadhakas and devotees of Baba Ramdev who had gathered in Haridwar from all over India to participate in the launching ceremony a kavi sammelan [poet's get together] and a cultural evening were also organized. Leading Hindi poets and well--known Bollywood playback singers especially came to the holy city of Haridwar to add color to the launching ceremonies that went on for two days.