Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, June 21, 2024, emphasized that the world recognizes yoga as a potent force for global good. He highlighted that yoga aids individuals in living in the present moment, free from the burdens of the past.
Addressing a gathering at the 10th International Yoga Day event at the SKICC, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that yoga has helped people realize that their welfare is intertwined with the welfare of the world around them.
“The world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good. Yoga helps us live in the present moment without the baggage of the past,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi performong yoga, to highlight it’s importance in our daily life, on the International Yoga Day in New Delhi
“When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world…Yoga is making new ways of positive change in the society,” the Prime Minister said.
The event was initially scheduled to be held on the lawns of the SKICC on the banks of the Dal Lake but had to be moved indoors due to incessant rain.
Prime Minister Modi noted that the number of yoga practitioners worldwide is increasing daily, with yoga becoming an integral part of their daily routines.
“The number of yoga followers is growing continuously. Wherever I go, there is hardly any (international) leader who does not talk to me about the benefits of yoga.
“In many countries, yoga is becoming a part of the people’s daily lives,” Mr. Modi said as he cited the examples of Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia, and Germany, saying the ancient form of meditation was fast becoming popular there.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi also mentioned 101-year-old Frenchwoman Charlotte Chopin, who was awarded a Padma Shri for her contributions to popularizing yoga in her country.
PM Modi
He highlighted that the global spread of yoga has changed perceptions, leading more people to travel to India to acquire authentic knowledge about yoga.
“We are now seeing yoga tourism in states like Uttarakhand and Kerala. People are coming to India because they get to see authentic yoga.
“People are now hiring personal yoga trainers for fitness, and companies are including yoga in mind and body (fitness) programmes for their employees. It has opened new avenues of livelihood,” he said.
The Prime Minister stated that yoga offers solutions to many of the problems people face today.
“Yoga is not only knowledge but it is science as well. In this era of information revolution, there is a flood of information sources and it is a challenge for the human mind to focus on one subject.
“A solution for this is also in yoga as it helps the mind to focus. That is why from army to sports, yoga has been included in their routine,” he said.
The Prime Minister mentioned that astronauts and individuals working on space projects are also trained in yoga because it enhances “productivity as well as tolerance.”
“In many prisons, the inmates are also taught yoga so that they can think positively,” he added.
Mr. Modi expressed satisfaction that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are also taking up yoga which will help the tourism sector of the Union Territory.
“I have been seeing since yesterday that yoga is becoming popular with the people of Srinagar and (rest of) Jammu and Kashmir. It is a big thing that 50,000 to 60,000 people are associated with yoga. This will attract more tourists here,” he said.
