A yoga teacher from Haridwar, Ghulam Askari Zaidi has within a short span of time popularised yoga among the citizens of Afghanistan. The Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) had sent Zaidi to Afghanistan on deputation for a year in March 2017.

Within a short period, Zaidi got involved in the efforts to set up a Yoga Foundation by the Afghanistan Olympic Committee’s zonal unit, in collaboration with Indian consular officials. The Foundation has been set up at Mazar-e- Sharif in northern Afghanistan.

Suresh Barnawal, head of the department informed that Zaidi had done his post-graduation in yoga from Dev Sanskriti Vishwa Vidyalaya (DSVV) Haridwar and is an assistant professor at the university’s yoga department. Two more yoga students from DSVV are also likely to be sent on similar deputations by ICCR.

In an interview with TOI over phone Zaidi said that people in Afghanistan, especially the youth are very enthusiastic about yoga. People are attracted to yoga because they find it beneficial in many ways. Yoga not only contributes to good health but it also promotes spiritual well being.Some are also interested in teaching and promoting it in other countries.

The yoga classes are held mostly within the premises of the Indian consulate at Mazar-e-Sharif. Zaidi said,“The classes attract male and female students from all age groups. Some of the students are from women’s organizations. Others are sportspersons or physically challenged. There are a lot of children as well.”