International Yoga Day: Marking the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar helps he was feeling the shakti [power] of yoga in Jammu & Kashmir's Srinagar. He also said that India is seeing the rise of a new sector called "Yoga tourism" as enthusiasts are pouring into the country to learn 'authentic Yoga'.
"We can feel the energy in Srinagar that we gain through yoga. I extend greetings to people of the country and people performing Yoga in every corner of the world on Yoga Day," he said.
On International Yoga Day's 10-year journey, PM Modi said: "In 2014, I proposed International Yoga Day at the United Nations. This proposal by India was supported by 177 nations and this was a record in itself. Since then, Yoga Day has been creating new records."
He further said that the number of people doing yoga is gradually increasing in the world as they are attracted towards yoga. "Wherever I go and whoever [global leaders] I meet, they ask me about yoga with curiosity. Yoga is becoming a part of daily life across the world. Yoga fosters strength, good health and wellness. It is wonderful to join this year's programme in Srinagar," he said.
"As we mark the 10th International Yoga Day, I urge everyone to make yoga part of their daily lives," PM Modi urged people. The theme for this year's International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for Self and Society'.
He said the perception towards yoga has changed in the last 10 years. "Today, the world is seeing a new Yoga economy going forward. In India, from Rishikesh and Kashi to Kerala, a new connection of 'Yoga tourism' can be seen. Tourists from across the world are coming to India because they want to learn authentic Yoga... People are even keeping personal Yoga trainers for their fitness... All of these have created new opportunities for the youth, new employment opportunities for youth," PM Modi said.
Mentioning Charlotte Chopin, the 101-year-old woman Yoga teacher from France, who received the Padma Shri this year, PM Modi said: "She had never come to India, but she dedicated her entire life to creating awareness about Yoga. Today, research on Yoga is being done in prestigious universities and institutions around the world; research papers are being published."