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Parents and teachers should spend time with children practicing yoga as scientific evidence shows that the ancient exercise form improves motor skills and hand-eye coordination, HRD minister Smriti Irani said on Monday.

If you look at scientific evidence, yoga improves motor skills and also makes hand-eye coordination better," Irani said as she asked teacher and parents to inculcate this habit in children.

The HRD minister was speaking at the first "National Yoga Olympiad" organized by the NCERT where over 300 students from 21 states, including those who were differently-abled performed various asanas.

AYUSH minister Shripad Naik, who was also present at the event, said there should be an "International Yoga Olympiad" organized along the lines of the national event.

Irani said she hoped that next year, the Olympiad will attract participants from all states of the country.

Urging school children to practice yoga, she also said this year six central universities will start full-fledged yoga departments and offer courses in this subject.

Officials said students from all communities and regions participated in the event.