YOGA PRODIGY

In a proud moment for rural Karnataka, 5th-grade student Akshaya Babubettu from the Government Higher Primary School in Yenekallu, Kadaba taluk , was invited as a special guest by the state government to participate in the National Yoga Day celebrations held in front of the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presided over the grand event, which saw the participation of over 5,000 yoga practitioners. Akshaya was given a five-minute slot to perform live on the main stage, showcasing her exceptional yoga talent. She was accompanied by her parents and yoga instructor Sharath Margiladka, following an official invitation extended by the government.

Akshaya, the daughter of Mohan Kumar and Divya from Baladi in Yenekallu village, has been undergoing training at the Nirantara Yoga Centre and has already amassed an impressive array of accolades. She has won six gold medals, one silver, and three bronze medals in various competitive yoga events, standing out for her dedication and discipline at a very young age.

Among her most remarkable achievements is her entry into the World Wide Book of Records and the London Book of Records for holding the Hanumanasana pose for 50 minutes and 20 seconds, a rare accomplishment that sets her apart on the global stage.

Her growing list of accolades includes a 6th-place finish at the 9th International Yoga Day Championship held in July 2023 in Koramangala, a 2nd-place win at the B.K.S. Iyengar Memorial National Yoga Championship in August 2023 in Bengaluru, and a 7th-place finish at the World Fitness Federation of Yogasana Sports in the Sub-Junior Girls category. She also holds a record in the International Yoga Book of Records for maintaining the Natarajasana pose for one full minute.