ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - Croatian Vice-Premier Ante Simonic and Deputy Education and Sports Minister Ivan Vavra on Wednesday spoke with the founder of the "Yoga in Daily Life" system, Paramhans Swamiji Maheshwarananda, who arrived in
Croatia in an effort to settle the misunderstandings about the application of his system in schools.
ZAGREB, Aug 6 (Hina) - Croatian Vice-Premier Ante Simonic and
Deputy Education and Sports Minister Ivan Vavra on Wednesday spoke
with the founder of the "Yoga in Daily Life" system, Paramhans
Swamiji Maheshwarananda, who arrived in Croatia in an effort to
settle the misunderstandings about the application of his system in
schools. #L#
The programme consists of a number of weekend seminars at which
educators would receive comprehensive and accelerated courses in
yoga as a stress-reduction technique.
Following a bid for tenders, the programme was taken on by the
government's office for cooperation with non-governmental
organisations and the education ministry recommended it to
schools.
This recommendation gave rise to negative reactions, especially
from the Catholic Church, which believes it to be "the introduction
of Hinduism into schools through back doors".
Commenting on this reaction, Swamiji said this was a
misunderstanding and called on more tolerance.
He said he had contacted representatives of the Catholic Church in
Croatia in order to set up a meeting, but was rejected with the
explanation that it was a time of summer holiday and that he should
call back in the autumn.
But the spiritual leader voiced conviction the church officials
would consent to a meeting after all.
Vavra told reporters the programme had not been abandoned.
He said it was an extra-institutional programme in which educators
could become involved on a voluntary basis.
(hina) lml sb