The Indian National Congress (INC) on International Yoga Day on Wednesday thanked the former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for popularising yoga and urged people to appreciate the importance of the "ancient art" and incorporate it in their lives. Taking to its official Twitter handle, the Congress party wrote, "On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt. Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising Yoga & even made it a part of national policy. Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art & philosophy in our physical & mental wellbeing & take steps to incorporate it in our lives."
This year's theme for International Yoga Day is 'Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which reflects the essence of yoga as a unifying force that fosters the well-being of all, promoting the idea of "One World-One Family."
People from more than 180 countries will join PM Modi in celebrating the essence of yoga.
This will be the first time that the main Yoga Day ceremony will be hosted abroad, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Till last year, the primary Yoga Day ceremony was held in India.
This ceremony would be led by PM Modi, who will be joined by UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi and deputy secretary general of the UN Amina Mohammed. The event can be viewed on Doordarshan on Wednesday evening from 5:20 pm IST.
PM Modi arrived in New York on Tuesday as part of the first leg of his three-day State visit to the United States.