PM Modi Leads Yoga Session At UN In Presence Of Actor Richard Gere And Spiritual Leaders. SEE PICS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Yoga as truly universal and free from copyrights and patents as he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga, attended by top UN officials, diplomats and prominent personalities. (Image: Twitter/@sreerupa_mitra)

The prime minister, wearing a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, started his address with a 'Namaste' and thanked people for coming from far away to attend the celebration. I'm delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I'm told that almost every nationality is represented here today, PM Modi told the gathering. (Image: Twitter/@sreerupa_mitra)

I remember about nine years ago right here at the UN, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of yoga on 21st June. It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then,” he said. (Image: Twitter/@sreerupa_mitra)

PM Modi was joined by President of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly Csaba Korisi, deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed and New York City mayor Eric Adams. Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Iyengar yoga exponent Deidra Demens and prominent American singer Mary Millben were among the eminent personalities. (Image: ANI)

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, stretched their bodies, breathed in and out and performed asanas. (Image: ANI)

The event was attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community - created the Guinness World Record for participation of people of most nationalities, officials said. People from 135 countries attended the yoga session. (Image: ANI)

Let us use the power of yoga, not only to be healthy, happy, but also to be kind to ourselves and each other, let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, of a peaceful world and a cleaner , greener sustainable future, PM Modi said. (Image: ANI)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his video message on the occasion, said yoga 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. (Image: Twitter/@sreerupa_mitra)