Yoga Day event will put state on the world map: CM

Uttarakhand will be placed on the world map with its capital hosting the main national event on International Yoga Day on June 21, chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday said.

Uttarakhand was the “land of yoga” and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be credited for making the world realise its importance, Rawat said at a yoga session presided over by Yoga guru Ramdev at ONGC’s Ambedkar Stadium here.

“It is a matter of great honour for Uttarakhand to host the main (International Yoga Day) event here. It will put the state on the world map,” Rawat said at the rehearsal session ahead of the main event to be held on the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus.

“It is because of the efforts of the prime minister that the power of yoga has been recognised all over the world which celebrates it on June 21,” Rawat added.

The chief minister said yoga could be an effective tool to unite the world as the underlying philosophy behind the ancient practice was health and happiness for all.

“When the political power, the power of sants and that of spiritualism merge...it paves the way for the welfare of the people,” he added.

The rehearsal, which began at 6.15 am, was attended by a host of prominent politicians, ministers and spiritual gurus.

These included Rawat’s cabinet colleague Harak Singh Rawat, Union Minister of State for Ayush Shripad Yesso Naik, Swami Chidananda Saraswati, chief secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, and director general of police (DGP) Anil Kumar Raturi besides a number of yoga teachers and experts.

Ramdev said Dehradun’s selection for the main event was a matter of great pride for the people of Uttarakhand.

Naik said that it was due to the Prime Minister’s efforts that the message of yoga has spread to the world.