In an effort to introduce good living  practises, the Karnataka government  following the growing incidence of HIV, AIDS and diabetes in the state, is gearing up to launch the ‘Start Yoga, Stop HIV’ campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister SA Ramadass pointed out that India was home to the second highest number of HIV patients in the world. Five districts in Karnataka have recorded very high incidence of HIV. The number of HIV positive children in the state is around 68,000. Therefore we plan to tackle their deteriorating lifestyle by introducing Yoga as a lifestyle practice, the minister added.

The Ayush Department had already identified 10 villages in the state to promote a healthy way of living through Yoga. Karnataka chief minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda will launch this Start Yoga Stop HIV campaign shortly in all these villages.

Of the 68,000 HIV positive children in the state, 5,000 are orphans while another 3,000 have a single parent. In four districts of North Karnataka, there are about 14,000 HIV positive children. “HIV and AIDS have reached an alarming proportion. We have to rehabilitate all these children and integrate them into mainstream society, a daunting task,” he stated.

The minister also expressed concern over the increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes. “The WHO has estimated that India would have the highest number of people suffering from diabetes by the year 2020. All these developments are worrying factors. It is time we adopted healthy practices to lead a successful life.

Speaking to reporters after taking part in a demonstration of Yoga in Cubbon Park here in the city minister for medical education said that the move for a dedicated campaign was a prelude to the International Conference on Yoga, Naturopathy and Arogya Expo 2012, to be held from February 9-13, 2012.

GN Sreekantaiah, director, Department of AYUSH and over 70 yoga practitioners performed different forms of Yoga. Participants were in the age group of 8 years to 80 years, Various internal cleansing techniques [kriyas]; physical postures [asanas]; voluntarily regulated breathing techniques [pranayama]; relaxation techniques [yoganidra] and meditation [dhyana], which addressed all aspects of health were performed  focusing on the physical, mental; emotional,  social and spiritual  aspects  to improve the quality of living.