DO YOGA OR YOU GO
Naidu mandates YOGA courses for the High and the Low
HYDERABAD, India (AP) - A reform-minded politician, trying to
turn his state into India's technology powerhouse, is relying on
yoga to provide a ``physically and spiritually balanced'
government.
Chandrababu Naidu, the highest elected official in the southern
state of Andhra Pradesh, is known to work 18 hours a day and live
on a frugal diet.
In a move to boost the alertness and improve the performance of
his government ministers and officials, Naidu on Friday organized a
mandatory three-day course in yoga.
``Your health is precious not only for you but also for the
entire state,' he told participants.
The course includes yoga exercises, meditation and stress
reduction techniques and nutrition counseling.
The course was organized by Prajapita Brahmakumari Eshwariya
Vishwa Vidyalaya, a voluntary organization promoting spiritual
well-being.
Naidu's tips to his ministers for improving efficiency at work:
Wake up early in the morning, drink 1 1/2 gallons of water a day,
practice yoga and meditation and eat light non-spicy food.
All lawmakers in Andhra Pradesh will have to undergo the yoga
classes. Naidu made the decision after many lawmakers were unable
to take part in his Motherland program, which involves voluntary
physical work.
``The program requires people to dig, clean and do other
physical work. They are unable to do it,' he said.
In other efforts to improve efficiency, Naidu has computerized
many public records, held videoconferences with remote villages and
introduced greater accountability of public officials.
The measures have won him praise from such people as Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates, who invested several million dollars in a
computer software facility in Andhra Pradesh. |
