LUCKNOW, June 16 -- The 12th International Yoga Week commenced on Monday at the Government Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Tudiyaganj, with Uttar Pradesh minister of state (independent charge) for AYUSH, Dr Dayashankar Mishra 'Dayalu', inaugurating the week-long programme. The Yoga Week will be observed from June 15 to June 21. Addressing participants, Dr Mishra said yoga is not merely an exercise but a discipline that helps maintain balance between the body, mind and intellect. He urged people to dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to yoga for better health and disease prevention, stated a press release shared with the media. Principal secretary, AYUSH, Ranjan Kumar said Yoga Week activities will be organised across all 75 districts and gram panchayats of Uttar Pradesh. Online competitions are also being conducted through the AYUSH Kavach app to promote wider participation, it stated. During a scientific session, experts highlighted the role of yoga in reducing stress and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. Dr Anurag Srivastava of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi, cautioned against excessive consumption of roasted and fried meat, linking it to rising cancer cases in Northeast India. He said yoga and Ayurveda can complement cancer treatment and help reduce dependence on intensive therapies, it stated further. The event also featured yoga demonstrations by children. Among those present were AYUSH director general Chaitra V, special secretary Madan Singh Garbyal, director of Ayurveda Dr Narayan Das, director of Unani Dr Jamal Akhtar, director of Homeopathy Dr PK Singh, principal Dr Sudha Singh, and Dr Dharmendra Chaudhary....