International Yoga Day being celebrated world over today

The 4th International Yoga Day is being celebrated across the globe today. In India Prime Minister Narendra Modi led thousands of people in performing yoga asanas, in the main event organised at Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. He called upon people to make Yoga a movement and a part of their lives. He said Yoga has emerged as the biggest unifying force in the world and has become a biggest mass movement.

Mr Modi said, Yoga has been a part of Indian tradition and it integrates the people. He said, Uttarakhand is the Yoga Bhumi and it has been the center of yoga for decades. He said, by doing Yoga, the person can remain fit and healthy throughout his life. Mr Modi said yoga has shown the world the path from illness to wellness. He said instead of dividing, Yoga unites, instead of further animosity, yoga assimilates and instead of suffering, Yoga heals.

People in large numbers took part in the Mega event with zeal and enthusiasm. Yoga demonstration with Prime Minister started this morning at 7:00 AM at FRI lawns. People from different walks of life with enthusiasm have been started arriving in wee hours to participate in Yoga, in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Governor K.K. Paul, Union and Minister of state for AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik and Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat were also present on this occasion. Chief Minister welcomed the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and thanked him for selecting the state capital as the host of the main event of International Yoga Day.

More than 50 thousand participants performed yoga with Prime Minister at FRI Lawns and sent the message, healthy living through Yoga across the country. Speaking on the occasion the Prime Minister said that, India has given a message of Yoga at the global level. He said, yoga is bringing peace and harmony in the world and it has linked the whole world. Mr Modi Congratulate the State Government for successfully organizing the event.

In Mumbai, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu led the Yoga Day programme at Bandra Reclamation Sealink Promenade. The event was organised by Spandan Art, an NGO run by BJP's city unit chief Ashish Shelar. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was also present on the occasion.

Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar attended the Yoga Day celebrations, jointly organised by NGOs at Marine Drive. He will also take part in a similar event at the Sports Complex situated in Mumbai University. Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde attended a yoga event at the Gateway of India.

In the national capital too, various events were held to mark the occasion.To create awareness about Yoga and its benefits, mass Yoga demonstration programmes were organized at various places in Delhi including Rajpath, Nehur Park, Lodhi Garden, Lal Quila and Yamuna sports complex. The yoga



event at Rajpath was attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and others. Information and Broadcasting Minister Col Rajyavardhan Rathore participated in the Yoga session in Shahdara. Around two thousand Delhi Police personnel also took part in the yoga session at Thyagraj sports complex. Besides, DDA, MCDs, NDMC and other agencies held Yoga sessions to spread the message and the benefits of Yoga. Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for the International Yoga Day in the city.

In Rajasthan, International Yoga Day is being celebrated across the State. Administration organizing special yoga functions at each district and blocks headquarters. State Level yoga function is being organized at Kota where around 2 lakh people are taking part in an attempt to enter a world record. 

An attempt is being made for world record in Kota for largest number of people performing yoga at one place at the same time on International Yoga Day. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev are leading the people at RAC Ground, where 30 lakh square feet area has been prepared for performing yoga. On the third International Yoga Day, 55 thousand people of Mysore had set a world record performing yoga at one place at the same time. More than 15 thousand people have performed Yoga at SMS stadium in Jaipur. Government organizations, military and para military forces, private organistations and NGO’s have also organized special yoga programmes at various places. 

In Jammu & Kashmir, Yoga Day is being celebrated at Sher i Kashmir Cricket Stadium at Sonwar in Srinagar. A senior police official told AIR that hundreds of participants from NCC, Police and Police Public School, Srinagar, are participating in the event. The participants were seen moving enthusiastically towards the venue in colourful sports outfits.

In Kargil in Jammu and Kashmir, International Yoga Day started with Camps at SAI, SAG Center where the inmates of the center demostrted various Yoga Asanas.

On this occasion Mohammad Hussain Rehnuma DYSSO Kargil was the Chief Guest and Anayat Ali, Copy Editor RNU Kargil was the Guest of Honour.

Similar camps conducted at 11 other centers in the district by experts from youth service and sports department.

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice originated in ancient India. In 2015, United Nations General Assembly unanimously announced 21st June as the International day for yoga to raise awareness about the benefits of practicing yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address in 2014 proposed the idea of International Yoga day. The resolution was co sponsored in the General Assembly by 177 nations, the highest ever number of co-sponsors for any UNGA resolution of such nature.