New Delhi, Jan 13 (IANS): Union Minister for AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, said on Wednesday that the ministry is hopeful to see more than one crore people perform in Surya Namaskar on the occasion of Makar Sankranti January 14.

The Ministry of AYUSH is all prepared for the global Surya Namaskar programme on Makar Sankranti on 14 January under the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' celebrations, he said.

In a virtual press meet, Sonowal said that Surya Namaskar is more relevant amid the current resurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It is a proven fact that Surya Namaskar builds vitality and immunity and therefore is able to keep Corona at bay. We have set a target of 75 lakh people participating in the programme, but seeing the registrations and our preparedness, I am hopeful of crossing the one crore-mark," he said.

All leading yoga institutes, both from India and abroad, such as the Indian Yoga Association, National Yoga Sports Federation, Yoga Certification Board, FIT India, along with other government and non-governmental organisations are expected to take part in the world-wide programme on January 14.