Vijayanagara police personnel will soon have to undergo mandatory Body Mass Index (BMI) tests, as part of a new initiative aimed at improving fitness levels within the force.
Superintendent of Police S Jahnavi announced the move on Sunday while inaugurating a 15-day free yoga training camp at the District Armed Reserve Police Parade Ground. The camp has been organised for personnel from the Hosapete subdivision.
Addressing the gathering, she stressed the importance of physical fitness and mental resilience for police personnel, given the nature of their duties. She said BMI-based obesity tests would be conducted periodically to monitor the health of staff.
Highlighting the benefits of yoga and pranayama, she noted that regular practice helps reduce body fat and improves mental stability. Personnel were advised to continue practicing yoga daily even after the camp concludes.
Additional Superintendent of Police G Manjunath said yoga helps activate the entire body, while Deputy Superintendent of Police T Manjunath emphasised the need to make it a part of daily routine.
Yoga practitioners Uma Vishwanath, Dakshayini Shivakumar and Nurjahan spoke about the role of yoga in improving fitness and relieving stress. District yoga committee representative Ananta Joshi said such practices would help police personnel stay fit and effectively maintain peace and harmony.
More than 200 personnel, including senior officers, participated in the inaugural session. The camp will continue for the next 14 days, with sessions scheduled from 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM.
Officials said similar programmes will be extended to other subdivisions, with additional batches planned for those unable to attend the current sessions.