NEW DELHI, INDIA, February 17, 2006: Yoga and physical activities will be made mandatory in schools to prevent the onset of lifestyle-related illnesses among the younger generation, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said here Friday. “Non-communicable diseases like heart attacks, diabetes and cancer are slowly affecting the young age group and lack of physical activity is definitely one of the main reasons,” Ramadoss said. “More play periods in schools would help students to shed extra calories and develop their immune system,” he told a symposium on cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here. “Apart from regular recess time, our ministry in collaboration with the human resource development ministry is planning to make play classes mandatory five days a week.” A direction to this effect would be sent to all schools in two to three months. Ramadoss said yoga, too, would be made mandatory in schools. “Both these initiatives will help in reducing stress among students and help them lead a healthy life.
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