Sikkim health minister stresses "balance in life", importance of Yoga for youth

Sikkim Health Minister G.T. Dhungel, on June 21, emphasized the need to bring balance to people’s lives through yoga, reading, and mental wellness, especially among the youth.
 

He was speaking during an event held to mark International Yoga Day in the state.

When asked whether there is a decline in people’s activeness nowadays, Minister Dhungel said that many young people are spending more time on video games and less time on physical or meaningful activities. “Children today are so involved in gaming that they don’t even know who or what they are competing with. Meanwhile, children in other countries are becoming more focused and more ambitious,” he said.

He said that the youth need to strike a balance between material progress and mental peace. “We all are chasing money and materials. But there is no limit to greed. This is why it is important to understand that peace of mind is also necessary,” Dhungel added.

He urged the media to help in creating awareness, especially among the younger generation. “It’s not enough to just give mobile phones and games to children. We should involve them in real activities. Media has a big role to play in spreading this message,” he said.

The minister also highlighted the concept of bibliotherapy ; a method of healing through reading. He said reading stories, poems, and novels can help children think in a better way. “If good stories and poems are written based on current issues, and children read them, they will be positively influenced. Their mindset will improve, and they will choose the right path,” he said.

Dhungel praised the efforts of the state government, led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, in promoting wellness tourism. He recalled that the idea of wellness tourism was earlier shared by the Chief Minister, and now it is taking a proper shape with the support of the central government’s AYUSH mission.

He said  that the government is working to set up wellness zones in nearby areas. These zones will offer services like meditation, yoga, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, traditional healing, and naturopathy. These areas will become centres for people to improve their physical and mental health. “Our Chief Minister has already given the green signal, and preparations are in full swing,” the minister said.

Dhungel added that AYUSH holidays are also being planned, where tourists can come and take part in healthy activities. “Such initiatives will not only improve public health but also make Sikkim a unique destination for wellness tourism,” he said.

He said that the youth must be guided in the right direction, and that society, schools, families, and media must work together. “It’s not just about what we did in the past. We must focus on the present and think about how it will affect our future. This should be part of our daily actions and conversations,” he said.