KATHMANDU: In a bid to preserve and promote herbs of medicinal importance, yoga guru Swami Ram Dev has pledged to set up herb processing plant in Nepal within two years. Former president of Non Resident Nepalis Association, Dr Upendra Mahato will be assisting the yoga guru in the project.

Before his departure for India today after conducting a weeklong Yoga Shivir in Kathmandu, Ram Dev told media persons that Nepal can benefit a lot by utilising its herbal resources and aromatic plants. “We are planning to establish herbal processing plant in co-operation with Dr Mahato,” he said.

“Herbal medicines produced in Nepal will be cheaper by 50 per cent than in other Indian productions,” Ram Dev said. “With the establishment of the processing plant, lot of Nepalese will also get employment opportunities.

He, however, expressed dissatisfaction regarding the hue and cry made over his certain remarks, especially one in which he had talked Nepal’s relations with China. “I am not against Chin and I don’t represent any political party. Nor do I represent the Indian government. I have nothing to do with politics. I came here because I love Nepal, which has cultural and social ties with India,” he said.

Swami Ram Dev also said that he would come back to Nepal again. “Whenever an opportunity comes he would love to come back to the land of Gautam Buddha.”

Ram Dev also thanked the Nepali media for giving a good coverage of Yog Vigyan Shivir-2010 that was conducted in the Capital.

Dr Mahato said that Swami has taught that the country can prosper if every working hand can be united.

“Nepal is rich in herbs and has not been able to utilise these medicinal plants,” Ayurved Acharya Balkrishna said.

As a token of love from Nepal, Mahato presented an idol of Gautam Buddha to Swami Ram Dev. Earlier in the morning, Swami Ram Dev called on President Dr Ram Baran Yadav and then visited Armed Police Force.

Training for APF

KATHMANDU: Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev Ji Maharaj, Ayurved Shiromani Acharya Bal Krishna and Home Secretary Dr Govinda Kushum jointly inaugurated a week-long yoga training to the Armed Police Force personnel in the APF headquarters, Halchwok today. Ramdev imparted one-hour long yoga training to APF officials and personnel and preached the need of yoga for healthier life.

“State of mental and physical balance will help you fight the crime,” said Ramdev. Inspector General of APF Sanat Kumar Basnet and senior officials of Nepal Police were among those taking up the yogic aasan.

They will undergo breathing exercises and different yogic methods for one week. Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dr Kushum stressed the need of yoga for physical strength and mental concentration. “Yoga plays a consequential role in leading the country to peace and prosperity,” he argued.

IG Basnet informed that APF would offer yoga training to its personnel even in the days ahead to keep them mentally and physically fit. “Yoga will really help APF build up confidence and professionalism,” he said.