The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), Pune has been selected as the first recipient of the Prime Minister’s Award for outstanding contribution for promotion and development of Yoga.
Established in 1975, Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute has contributed significantly in spreading yoga across the globe.
The institute has published books on yoga and these have been translated into multiple languages. The selection was done from among 85 nominations received and 15 more recommended by the screening committee, the government said in a statement.
On the occasion of the second International Day of Yoga celebrations at Chandigarh on June 21, 2016, PM Narendra Modi had announced the institution of awards for the promotion and development of yoga.
Nomination for the awards were invited through open advertisement.
The screening committee shortlisted 16 names from among the applications received, after detailed discussions and analysis of the contributions of the individuals and institutes, whose nominations were received.
In addition, the committee also recommended for consideration 15 names of eminent yoga individuals/ organizations who have long standing credibility in the field of promotion and development of yoga, but whose names did not figure in the applications received.
The jury chaired by the cabinet secretary, with the additional principal secretary to Prime Minister, the foreign secretary, secretary (AYUSH) and Dr. Veerendra Heggade as members, examined the recommendations of the screening committee, and also made its own analysis of the contributions made by the institutions and individuals shortlisted.
