Swami Ramdev to spearhead against patent of Yoga

Lucknow, May 23 (UNI) Yoga guru Swami Ramdev today volunteered to spearhead a movement against the reported move by an NRI to patent some yoga techniques in the West.

''It is a matter of great concern to India, if someone is trying to patent yoga, which is our traditional and ancient wisdom,'' he said while addressing a news conference here this afternoon.

''The central government should take immediate steps to pre-empt such a move, lest our ancient treasure is lost and India is discredited with the land of yoga's origin,'' he warned.

However, he lamented that the Union Health Ministry and its ayurveda cell was itself lying in a state of inertia to react and rise to the occasion.

''Patenting yoga at international level is a big conspiracy, as yoga and ayurveda have their origins in India since ancient times,'' the yoga exponent maintained.

Swami Ramdev asserted that he would not sit idle in this regard and soon chart a course of action through his Hardwar-based organisation -- Patanjali Yog Peeth.

The yoga guru also mentioned that he is setting up a Patanjali Vishwa Vidyalaya at Hardwar, under a project worth Rs 250-300 crore, which would act as an international hub of yoga related activities.

He will be holding a yoga camp here from May 25.

UNI