Yoga Day: Dignitaries From 180 Nations Bend It With Modi As PM Leads Celebrations In New York
Notably, Modi is on the first leg of his first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
New Delhi: In a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday led a yoga session at the UN Headquarters that saw the participation of people from more than 180 countries, representing different walks of life and comprising diplomats, artists, academicians and entrepreneurs among others.
Speaking at the event in New York, PM Modi said, "Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and free from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal."
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the Yoga Day event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the occasion of #9thInternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/3G8I9YGvNA
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
He further stated, "We've gathered here at the meeting point of entire humanity. I am delighted to see you all and thank you all for coming. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. Yoga means to unite, so you are coming together is an expression of another form of Yoga."
He added, "Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of One Earth, One Family, One Future."
#WATCH | At the Yoga Day event at the UN HQ in New York, PM Narendra Modi says, "...Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy, happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. Let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a… pic.twitter.com/QwAEEBo9r8
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
Notably, Modi is on the first leg of his first state visit to the US at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi in a video message said India has always nurtured traditions that unite, adopt and embrace and made a fervent appeal to eliminate contradictions, hurdles and resistances through yoga.
Modi said Indians have welcomed new ideas, conserved them and celebrated the country's rich diversity.
The prime minister further stated that yoga strengthens such feelings, expands the inner vision, and connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being giving a basis of love for the living being.
"We have to eliminate our contradictions, blockages and resistances through Yoga. We have to present the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ as an example to the world,” Modi said.
Modi also said the International Day of Yoga was special this year as researchers at India's research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica too were participating in the celebrations.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his message for Yoga Day, said yoga unites people. "It unites body and mind, humanity and nature and millions of people across the globe for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace," he said.
"In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, it can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection," Guterres said.
He added that yoga reveals "our common humanity, helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, the planet and ourselves."
The first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square, and iconic locations across the world.
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