New York/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is now on a historic visit to the US, led a unique yoga session in New York’s UN building on Wednesday to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga.
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said: “Delighted to take part in the Yoga Day programme at UN Headquarters. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness.”
“Yoga is free from copyright, patent, royalties… It is a way of life…Yoga is flexible, you can practice alone, group, learn from a teacher or self-taught… It is unifying, it is truly universal. It is for all ethnicities, faith, cultures,” he said.
“Yoga has become a global movement through the international day of yoga,” PM Modi said in a video message.
“What unites us is Yoga. Yoga creates a healthy and powerful society where the collective energy is much more,” he said.
“India’s culture and social structure, its spirituality and ideals, and its philosophy and vision have always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace,” he added.
“Yoga connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being,” he said.
PM Modi said the international day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India’s research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.
The PM suggested June 21 as the date for its observance as it is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the northern Hemisphere.
Addressing the people, the Prime Minister conveyed his best wishes to the citizens on the International Day of Yoga and explained that he is connecting with them via a video message as he is currently touring the United States of America due to various commitments, unlike previous occasions of Yoga Day when he was present in India.
Highlighting the idea of the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ which makes Yoga Day even more special, the Prime Minister said that it is based on the mutual relation between the idea of yoga and the expanse of the ocean.
(Reporting by Yogesh Tyagi)
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