On the occasion of first International Yoga Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that yoga reaches out to everyone cutting across caste, creed and colour. “Everything is moving ahead with pace, but we cannot afford to lag behind. It will spoil everything,” said PM Modi addressing more than 40,000 people performing various yoga asanas at Rajpath.
PM Modi said that yoga is a philosophy and a ‘Yogi’ is someone who is in harmony with himself, his body, surroundings and nature. Emphasizing on the importance of the art Modi pointed out how it is not a celebration confined to today but is just the beginning.
The Prime Minister said that stress and many lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension can be handled with yoga. “The burden of diseases are shifting to non-communicable diseases. There is ample evidence that practicing yoga helps combat stress,” he said, and added that yoga also helps in full development of mental powers.
“There can be an enormous reduction in cost of healthcare if yoga is practised. It can increase power of innovation, technology and knowledge and upgrade the quality of life.”
“Solidarity shown by neighbouring country has brought us closer,” said PM Modi while addressing the inaugural session of the Yoga conference in Delhi. Stressing on the importance of moving towards a peaceful and stress-free life Modi asked the people present how many of them had ever thought that Rajpath would one day become a ‘Yoga path’.
Announcements at Rajpath explained the benefits of different asanas being performed by PM Modi and over 35,000 others. Several students also participated in the event, aiming to create a world record. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia were also present at the event along with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev and other dignitaries.
Modi personally met all the children who performed yoga during the Rajpath event to launch the International Day of Yoga. ‘Shanti Path’ was also recited at Rajpath as part of the grand launch event. Soon after the event at Rajpath, Modi addressed an International Yoga Day conference at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. “When I first talked about International Yoga Day, little did I know that I would get such huge response,” said an enthralled Modi.
It is said that Yoga transforms life, said PM Modi, adding that the ancient Indian tradition is the medicine to let one live life to the fullest. According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people doubt Yoga when they do not understand its benefits. “International Yoga Day is not the brainchild of a government or United Nation, it is a movement of people whose lives have been changed by Yoga…we will take this movement forward,” said Modi.
PM Modi further pointed out how expectations from India had risen across the world with this event. “I am indebted to the world for making International Yoga Day a success,” said Modi as he concluded his speech at the International Yoga conference. Narendra Modi also released commemorative coins and stamp to mark first International Yoga day.
The event was celebrated with much enthusiasm around the world. Vajra Corps of the Indian Army organised a grand event in Jalandhar on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. The Souther Naval command personnel performed Yoga on board a ship celebrating the day with much zeal. Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel said that the state government will try to introduce yoga as a regular practice in schools. Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Congress leader Harish Rawat also participated at an International Yoga Day event. Speaking to reporters after the grand yoga event at Rajpath, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that there must not be any politics over the ancient Indian tradition, as it is good for both mind and body. Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Najeeb Jung, who has been involved in a political row with Kejriwal, was also seen doing yoga along with the others.
The Peking University in China was not far behind as they organised a similar event. Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani led the International Yoga Day celebrations in Shimla. Indian Navy personnel also joined the International Yoga Day celebration onboard INS Viraat. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also performed yoga asanas at K D Singh Babu stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, as part of the International Yoga Day celebrations. Down south, over 10,000 people performed yoga asanas at YMCA ground in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was in New York to participate in the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations. Indian Missions abroad were also organising special programmes for the day.
Modi, who proposed an international yoga day at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, said he never thought it would draw such “unprecedented response”. The proposal was adopted by the 193-member UN with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring it. “This is a big development in the history of UN.”