New Delhi, June 21: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and BJP President J.P. Nadda on Sunday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rendered a significant service to humanity by taking yoga to the global stage and making it a worldwide movement for health and well-being.
Addressing a gathering after participating in a mass yoga session in the national capital on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga, Nadda said that the recognition of yoga by the United Nations reflects its growing acceptance across the world.
He said that yoga should not remain confined to any one country but should become a practice adopted globally for the benefit of humanity. He urged people to incorporate yoga into their daily lives and make it a part of their routine for better physical and mental well-being.
The International Day of Yoga was observed across India and several countries on Sunday under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” which highlights the role of yoga in promoting healthy and active living at every stage of life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national observance of the occasion at Red Road in Kolkata, where he joined participants in yoga sessions marking the global event.
The theme for this year focuses on healthy ageing and the importance of maintaining physical and mental well-being amid the rising burden of lifestyle-related diseases and non-communicable illnesses. The emphasis is on improving quality of life and promoting healthier living.
Yoga, which originated in India’s ancient traditions, has evolved into a global practice promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being. Recognising its universal appeal, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 following a proposal made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.
The proposal received support from 175 member states, and the first International Day of Yoga was observed on June 21, 2015. The recognition marked a significant step in taking India’s traditional practice of yoga to people across the world.