Butwal, June 20 (RSS):Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sudan Kirati, has said the significance of Yoga is beyond religious, physical and mental benefits. “Yoga is also connected to the welfare of humankind as a whole.” In his address to a Yoga camp organised in Lumbini on the eve of the International Yoga Day today, the Minister said many Rhishis (sages) and historic people have had their contributions to the promotion of Yoga that was systematized by Maharshi Patanjali who was the author of Yoga Sutras, a classic text about Yoga. “Gautam Buddha is one of those personalities who promoted the Yoga practice,” the Minister said. He took time to say that relations between Nepal and India had begun 2,300 years ago through trade and commerce, and the Prime Minister’s latest visit to India had further consolidated this ties. On a different context, he said the presence of Ram in Nepal and of Sita in India was significant to make the bilateral relations ‘complete’. As the Minister said, talks with the Indian government were going on for obtaining a route for Bhairahawa Airport and the positive conclusion was expected. The event was organised by Lumbini Development Trust, Indian Embassy in Nepal and the Patanjali Nepal. India’s ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, described Yoga as one of the dimensions of Nepal-India relations. Patanjali Yoga Committee, Kapilvastu chapter Chair Krishna Murari Gyawali and Nawalparasi chapter chair Narupati Pandeya conducted the Yoga camp themed ‘Yoga Practice for Peace and Harmony’. It was attended by some 400 people including the Minister, Lumbini Province Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, the ambassador, Rupandehi’s Chief District Officer Bharatmani Pandey, Lumbini Development Trust member-secretary Sanuraja Shakya and Trust Board members. June 21 each year is observed as the International Yoga Day and it is celebrated in Nepal too. —