LUCKNOW, June 21 -- Government schools across Uttar Pradesh will mark the 12th International Yoga Day on Sunday (June 21) with collective yoga sessions involving around 1.42 crore students from 1.32 lakh schools and over 78,000 girls studying in 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, officials said. Students, teachers, Shiksha Mitras, instructors and parents will take part in the programme. Director of education (basic) Anil Bhushan Chaturvedi has been appointed nodal officer for monitoring and coordination of the programmes. In line with the directions of the ministry of Ayush and the ministry of education, guidelines have been issued to all divisional assistant directors of education, district basic education officers and block education officers across the state. Officials said the department aims to ensure that Yoga Day is not merely a formal event but becomes a lasting message of healthy habits and a positive lifestyle in the lives of students. According to the instructions issued by the basic education department, collective yoga practice, pranayama sessions and awareness programmes highlighting the importance of yoga will be organised in schools. Students will be made aware of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga. Meanwhile, other education institutions, including Lucknow University, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, Dr Shakuntala Misra National Rehabilitation University, and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University will also organise mass yoga sessions on the occasion....