Rajkot: The Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) will establish India’s first permanent, technology-enabled “15-Minute Yoga City”. The project adapts the “15-Minute City” urban planning model — which ensures essential services within a short walk from home — providing residents access to professional yoga facilities within a 15-minute distance from their doorstep.The RMC is set to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gujarat Yoga Board. “The RMC will turn public parks, community halls and other civic spaces into accessible neighbourhood wellness nodes. The Gujarat Yoga Board will deploy certified yoga instructors to conduct sessions free of charge,” said municipal commissioner Tushar Sumera. The civic body has identified 426 places, out of which 419 places will organise yoga programmes daily.The RMC will utilise advanced geographic information system (GIS) mapping to integrate yoga facilities into a central smart city platform. People will be able to locate the nearest yoga centre using this platform. “Citizens can check session schedules and access local wellness services,” said mayor Nehal Shukla.By embedding yoga and meditation into daily life, Rajkot is addressing the growing burden of modern urban health challenges, such as sedentary lifestyles, increasing stress levels and mental fatigue. Regular practice offers physical and mental benefits, ranging from enhanced cardiovascular health and reduced anxiety to better management of chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes.The programme builds upon the momentum generated by the UN, which established the International Day of Yoga on June 21 and recently proclaimed Dec 21 as World Meditation Day to highlight preventive and holistic approaches to health. “This is a long-term commitment towards making Rajkot one of India’s most liveable, healthy and resilient cities,” said Sumera.
