“In today's fast-paced world, Yoga connects mind, body, brain and soul and helps bring peace and tranquility in people's life” PM Modi said.
“Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well being” PM added.
Addressing a large gathering with the British-era FRI building in the backdrop, Modi said yoga has shown the world the way from "illness to wellness" and enriching lives across the globe.
He said in fact, yoga has become the biggest mass movement across the globe in the quest for good health and wellbeing, which is crucial to the creation of a peaceful world.
"Dehradun to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, Himalayan highlands or sunburnt deserts, yoga is enriching millions of lives all over the world.
"Yoga fosters amity in societies, which can form the basis of national unity," the prime minister said.
Modi said apart from being an art of holistic health, yoga had the power to unite people and countries, and pave the way for universal brotherhood.
"When disintegrating forces gain prominence it is yoga that unites, creates amity in societies, which forms the basis of national unity and unity among nations, and finally leads to universal peace and brotherhood. It has become a powerful unifying force," he said.
Prime Minister Modi arrived here on Wednesday night and was accorded a warm welcome by Uttarakhand Governor K K Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Assembly Speaker Premchand Aggarwal, state BJP president Ajay Bhatt, Haridwar MP Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh and DGP Anil Raturi at the Jollygrant airport.
The prime minister spent the night at Raj Bhawan.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat posted a blog earlier in the day to thank the prime minister for choosing Uttarakhand to host the event, saying it will establish the state's identity as the land of yoga and give a boost to tourism which will generate fresh job opportunities.
Modi joined thousands of volunteers performing yoga asanas in Dehradun while many Union ministers joined similar events across the country.
(With PTI inputs)