Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (June 21) said yoga had emerged as a force for unity and it did not discriminate as it went beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations.
In his message on the sixth International Day of Yoga, Modi said due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world was feeling the need for yoga more than ever. “If our immunity is strong, it is of great help in defeating this disease. For boosting immunity, there are several techniques in yoga, various asanas are there,” he added.
Modi said Covid-19 specifically attacked respiratory systems which could be strengthened by doing ‘pranayama’ or breathing exercise. “Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate. It goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations. Anybody can embrace yoga,” he said. “If we can fine-tune our chords of health and hope, the day is not far when the world will witness the success of a healthy and happy humanity. Yoga can definitely help us make this happen,” he said in a message telecast on Sunday morning. He added that doing work and performing duties properly was also yoga.
Modi said the huge participation of people in ‘My Life - My Yoga’ video blogging competition from across the globe reflected the growing popularity of yoga. “Today, all of us should stay away from gatherings and practise yoga at home with our families. This year’s theme is ‘Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family’. Yoga promotes family bonding as children, youngsters, elders in the family come together to practise yoga, there is a flow of positive energy in the home. Yoga also promotes emotional stability,” he said.
Modi said, “It also ends the distance between the life we have and the life we want to have. Regular practice of yoga gives emotional strength and empathy. We begin to understand that others would be going through the same struggle as us, so we become a shoulder of support for someone in need of it.” PM Modi said focus would shift to preventive healthcare once the pandemic is over.
UK marks Day of Yoga with projections, webinars
A digital projection and a series of webinars and live online yoga sessions marked the 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in the UK on Sunday. The Indian High Commission in London organised a digital projection reflecting the ancient Indian practice and its many benefits at the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in east London throughout the course of Sunday.
It was preceded by an online webinar titled "Ghar Ghar Se Yoga" coordinated by the Nehru Centre in London, in light of the social distancing norms in place that prevent a congregational aspect of the yoga sessions.
"Yoga is an invaluable ancient Indian practice with numerous benefits to both physical and mental health," said PN Ranjit Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
Yoga is unifying force, says Indian envoy
"Yoga is a unifying force, true to its literal meaning. People all around the world, transcending nationalities and cultures, have recognized the immense benefits of Yoga. They have made it a part of their everyday lives," India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu said.
Yoga promotes peace, says UN Director General
"Yoga promotes principles of peace, rights and well-being that UN is working towards. Celebrating #International Yoga Day, we're sending message of unity and connection, one that is of substantial value at time of great challenges but also great opportunities for multilateralism," Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General of UN, Geneva, said on Twitter.
