Kolkata: On the International Day of Yoga, thousands of students at madrasas in Bengal will perform yoga — most of them for the first time in their lives. In the past three weeks, many of them have learnt intricate yoga postures following instructions on YouTube.
Preparations at AP Department Calcutta Madrasah
On Sunday, a total of 100 students from AP Department Calcutta Madrasah Govt Higher Secondary School will perform yoga while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the performers at Red Road — barely three kms from the school. Over the past one month, they have been training under the physical instructor at the school.
“Almost all of them tried yoga for the first time and they are enjoying the routine. Postures are difficult yet they are performing in a choreographed way. The enthusiasm over performing on the International Day of Yoga is palpable among them,” said Syyed Tajdar Ali Mirza, assistant master in charge of school.
“Yoga could be part of Hindu philosophy. But any form of physical exercise is not restricted to any religious sect or practice. It is for the well-being of human beings. They are singing Vande Mataram every day at the prayer hall,” said Mirza. A team of 40 students from the school took part in Friday’s marathon-run for yoga.
Karaya Govt School Participation
At the Karaya Govt School at Beniapukur, 25 kids have been going through yoga practice everyday. “Most of the performers are trying it for the first time. But they are very flexible and pick up complex postures very fast. Although it is a holiday on the Yoga Day, we can see the excitement among the students. Teachers will also attend the event,” said Reyaz Ahmad, head of the institution.
Malda Model Madrasah Involvement
At Malda Model Madrasah, nearly 200 students have learnt yoga in the past three weeks. “We don’t have many teachers who are experts in yoga. But some senior students volunteered and started instructing others watching YouTube videos. We never thought they would pick up these postures so fast,” said Mozaffar Ahmed, headmaster of Malda Model Madrasah.
Woodburn ME School Preparations
Govt Woodburn ME School is preparing 50 students to perform at the school ground on the Yoga Day. “Kids are practicing every day and teachers are monitoring their practice. I have been practicing yoga myself for a long time and it has been very beneficial for my health,” said Ejaz Firoz, in charge of the Woodburn ME School.
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About the Author: Rohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.
