PM Urges Gurus To Keep Yoga Free From Commercialisation

21 June, New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday urged yoga gurus to ensure that the ancient art of yoga is not converted into commodity and commercialized.

Addressing an International Conference of yoga experts in Vigyan Bhavan, after inaugurating biggest ever yoga event at Rajpath to mark the first International Yoga day, Modi said the yoga is shared heritage of the humanity, which should remain free from being commercialised.

The Prime Minister described Yoga as a “state of mind,” (avasthaa), as opposed to being a commodity or a system (vyavasthaa). He said that the solidarity being expressed through Yoga, in the coming together with brothers and sisters in other countries, brings our hearts and minds closer.

Thanking the International Community for adopting June 21 as World Yoga Day with record number of countries co-sponsoring the proposal, Modi said this support was not just for India, but for the great tradition of Yoga.

Expressing delight at the response shown by countries across the world for International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister said that the event had brought the hearts and minds of the people together.

“When I spoke at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014, urging the world community to adopt an international day of yoga, little did I know of the kind of unprecedented response our proposal would receive….On December 11, 2014, the 193 member United Nations General Assembly approved the proposal by consensus with record 177 co-sponsoring countries,” he said.

He described Yoga as a mean to achieve harmony with oneself, one’s body, surroundings and nature and said that when practised correctly and with discipline, Yoga leads to greater fulfilment in life.