Celebrating the 10th International Day of Yoga in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the people of India and the world today.

In Gujarat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the event  at the Zero Point on the border areas of Nadabet, organised by the Gujarat State Yoga Board.

PM Modi in Srinagar for Yoga Day

From the banks of Dal Lake, PM Modi told the participants at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC), that it is in the sanguine environment of Kashmir and Srinagar that one gets the unique feeling of the strength that Yoga gives us.

“When we proposed this programme in 2014, 177 countries supported India’s move and that in itself is a record. In 2015 a record number of 35,000 people participated in the Yoga celebrations in Delhi.

“Last year, representatives from 130 countries participated in the Yoga celebrations in the US. I am happy that over 100 institutions have received World recognition for imparting the training of Yoga,” said the PM.

“Interest in Yoga and the awareness towards its benefits is fast increasing. At the global level, when I meet leaders they ask me about the benefits of Yoga. Great World leaders are making Yoga a part of their daily life. In 2015, I inaugurated a Yoga institute in Turkmenistan.

“In Saudi Arabia, Yoga has been included in the academic curriculum. In Mongolia, there is a Yoga centre today. In European countries also the interest in Yoga is increasing. In Germany, 1.50 crore people practise Yoga. 101 French women have dedicated themselves to the knowledge of Yoga and this they did without coming to India,” PM Modi mentioned.

He said that the theme of the 10th International Yoga Day is ‘Yoga for Self & Society’ and the World is today looking at Yoga for help amid the tensions in daily life. 

“Today Yoga is an essential part of training for the Army and the sports persons. In space projects, Yoga training is given to astronauts. Yoga classes are held for inmates in jails.”

Heavy rain interrupted the outdoor Yoga celebrations and the programme got delayed till 7.45 am because of heavy showers in Srinagar.

“I am sure that the inspiration of Yoga will help tourism in Kashmir. Today, rain created some problems, but the interest in Yoga in Kashmir is highly encouraging. Today, 50 to 60 thousand people participated in Yoga in Kashmir despite inclement weather and for this, I greet the people of J&K,” PM Modi said.

PM Modi and Lt Governor Manoj Sinha participated in the 10th International Yoga Day.

After the celebrations PM Modi interacted with Yoga practitioners on the banks of the Dal Lake. He also took selfies with young participants on the lawns of the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) before he left the venue for Raj Bhawan. The PM is flying back to Delhi today.

ISRO initiative for the special day

As a special initiative, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is organising a unique initiative, ‘Yoga for Space’, to mark the International Day of Yoga 2024.

All scientists and officials of ISRO will perform Yoga together as per the Common Yoga Protocol guidelines.

The team from the Gaganyaan project is also set to join the global campaign of International Yoga Day by practising yoga on the occasion.

Indian Army on International Yoga Day

Indian Army soldiers and the dog squad performed yoga at the Line of Control (LOC) on June 20, on the eve of the International Day of Yoga in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Army officers also performed Yoga today in icy heights on the northern frontier and deserted region.

The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel performed Yoga at zero line at JCP Attari, Amritsar under the supervision of Brig Pawan Bajaj(Retd), Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) BSF.

Moreover, ITBP personnel perform Yoga at Muguthang Sub Sector in Muguthang Sub Sector, Sikkim at an altitude of more than 15,000 feet.

Every year on June 21, International Yoga Day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including India. The celebration of Yoga Day was proposed by India in the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 27, 2014. This proposal received support from 177 countries.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)

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