Intl Yoga Day celebrated world wide; PM urges to take Yoga as part of life and beyond religion
21 June, Chandigarh/ New Delhi
The second International Day of Yoga is being celebrated across the globe Tuesday. The theme for this year is ‘Connect the Youth’. Millions of people today performed yoga across the country. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating second International Yoga day.
The main event in India was held at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today joined the mass yoga demonstration at the main function of International Yoga Day in Chandigarh. In his address, Modi said, yoga is not religious in nature and people must embrace it for better mental and physical health. He said, yoga is science and it is for both believers and atheists. The Prime Minister also advocated for popularization of the practice of yoga across the world and desired for more Yoga teachers to be produced from India. He said, yoga is also turning into a profession and is providing employment to many.
The Prime Minister urged people to make Yoga a part of their life saying that it is linked to good health. He said, Yoga provides health assurance with zero spending. Mr Modi said, Yoga will connect people to themselves which is vital in these times when everyone is so busy. He said, Yoga is not just about getting rid of diseases and ailments but it is a guarantee of wellness.
The Prime Minister also asked to focus on how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. He said, yoga has become a people’s mass movement and people in all parts of the nation have been connected to Yoga. Modi said, Yoga is not about what one will get, it is about what one can give up. He said, the whole world supported the idea of International Day of Yoga and all sections of society came together in this endeavour. He said, the International Yoga Day had become a mass movement like no other in the world.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also announced two awards for the Yoga Day celebrations next year, one at the national level and the other at the international level for popularising yoga. Governor of Punjab and Haryana Kaptan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister of Punjab Parkash Singh Badal, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, Minister for AYUSH Shirpad Nayak, Union Minister Vijay Sampla, Chandigarh MP Kirron Kher and spiritual leaders were present on the occasion.
Over 96 thousand people had registered themselves to take part in the event in Chandigarh. Of this, over 30 thousand were picked, including 10 thousand each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana. Yoga day was also held at 100 other locations across Chandigarh with the participation of more than 10 thousand people. This year focus was on the participation of differently abled persons (Divyangs), Youths and Weaker section of the society.
After his speech Modi greeted and interacted with 150 Divyangs who participated in the event. Apart from this, 23 sculptures made from waste, depicting yoga asanas, were installed at Capitol Complex for the Yoga Day celebrations. It was made by Anuj Saini, son of late Nek Chand, the creator of the iconic Rock Garden of the city. The sculptures have been made from waste material like ceramic tiles, broken crockery which have been the highlight of Rock garden.
Inaugurating a mass Yoga demonstration at Rashtrapati Bhavan to mark the Day, President Pranab Mukherjee said Yoga creates overall harmony between the body and mind and enhance mental and physical well-being. He appealed to people to make Yoga as an integral part of life.
Appealing people to embrace yoga for better life, Prime minister said Yoga is no religious activity, it is a global mass movement. Addressing over 30,000 yoga enthusiasts in Chandigarh, he said yoga helped control the mind and help people to lead a disciplined life.
In Delhi, the mega mass yoga demonstration was organised at Connaught Place in New Delhi which witnessed huge participation of people from all walks of life. They performed different postures of Yoga during 45 minutes of Yoga demonstration protocol. A group of Divyangs performed yogasanas on wheel chairs. Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu, who participated, said Yoga is becoming popular across the globe as it increases energy and improves immunity.
Yoga programmes were also organised at six other locations of the city including Nehru Park, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden and Japanese Park in Rohini. In Nehru Park, diplomats and officials took part in Yoga demonstration. Israeli ambassador Daniel Carmon said, yoga integrates people across the globe. He also thanked India for taking initiatives for organising such type of event. Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh said, yoga is a very good exercise and every one should practice it.
Several striking images of complex Yoga postures including Surya Namaskar, illuminated the UN Headquarters as the world body gears up to celebrate the International Yoga Day. India’s Permanent Mission to the UN in association with UN Department of Public Information will commemorate the day at the world body headquarters today.
India’s Ambassador to the UN Syed Akbaruddin said that this year’s celebration lays special emphasis on enhancing awareness that Yoga is a holistic approach and not just a physical activity. UN General Assembly President Morgens Lykketoft, Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information Cristina Gallach and founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev will lead a simple Yoga practice at the UN Headquarters to mark the occasion.