Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today urged upon the younger generation to shun sedentary lifestyle and undertake regular physical exercise to stay healthy. He was speaking after participating in the Yoga Camp organized by the Patanjali Yogpeeth of Baba Ramdev in Hubbali in Karnataka.

He noted that a demographic dividend can be realised in the country only when youth are healthy in a holistic manner. Emphasizing on the need to inculcate Fit India and yoga into people’s movements and make India a healthy and happy nation, he called for waging a war against the growing incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases.

Pointing out the economic burden of non-communicable diseases in terms of lost productivity and expenses for treatment, he said that Yoga practice will have a beneficial effect on people, especially at a time when there is sharp rise in lifestyle diseases. Mr. Naidu said Yoga is India’s greatest legacy and its most glorious gift to the world.

He complimented Ramdev and the Patanjali Yogpeeth and yoga trainers and gurus, who have been making a great contribution towards making India healthy by popularizing Yoga and meditation. Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines, Pralhad Joshi and others were present at the Yoga session.