Prime Minister Narendra Modi performs yoga along with thousands of enthusiasts to mark International Day of Yoga in Dehradun (AP)
Calling yoga a “unifying force and passport for wellness,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with 50,000 volunteers kick-started India’s fourth International Yoga Day celebrations in Dehradun on Thursday. Greeting the enthusiasts across the world Modi said, “While many powers in the world divide us, yoga unites us. It gives peace to an individual. Instead of further animosity, Yoga assimilates.” Leading the celebrations at Dehradun-based Forest Research Institute (FRI), Modi called India a top ambassador of yoga and said the country should be honoured to be the “guardians of the great practice.”
The participants at Dehradun event include Baba Ramdev’s Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar-based Shanti Kunj, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living, participants from the “spiritual organisation” Brahma Kumaris, and yoga practitioners from Swami Chidanand Saraswati’s Rishikesh-based Parmarth Niketan.
Meanwhile, Environment Minister Dr.Harsh Vardhan, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and LG Anil Baijal led the celebrations at Delhi’s Rajghat. Union ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu, Uma Bharti, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ravi Shankar Prasad are taking part in yoga events in Lucknow, Nagpur, Chennai, Rudraprayag, Hajipur and Patna respectively. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu along with Maharashtra Chief Minister M Venkaiah Naidu participated in an event in Mumbai.
President Ram Nath Kovind will mark the day with his Suriname counterpart in Paramaribo. "On #InternationalYogaDay greetings to all those practising yoga across the globe. Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition, but it doesn’t belong to India alone. It is part of humanity’s intangible heritage. I invite you to explore and celebrate yoga wherever you are. I look forward to participating in the Yoga Day celebrations with President Bouterse in Paramaribo, Suriname. This is the first time two heads of state will be celebrating International Yoga Day together," he wrote on Twitter
The Embassy of France in New Delhi practised asanas to mark the International Yoga Day on Thursday. The colour of the Yoga mats and the t-shirts represent the national flag of France. Express Photo by Abhinav Saha
In wake of yoga day, Elaborate security arrangements have been put in the National Capital. More than 500 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed to keep an eye on suspicious elements.
The Delhi Traffic Police has issued an advisory asking motorists to avoid Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road, Maulana Azad Road, Rajpath (between Vijay Chowk and Man Singh crossing), Krishna Menon Marg, K Kam Raj Marg and Rajender Prasad Road till 10 am today. The advisory asked motorists to take alternate routes -- Ring Road, Mathura Road, Bhairon Marg, Subramaniam Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Dr Abdul Kalam Road, Tuglak Road, Mother Teresa Crescent Marg to travel from south to north and vice-versa, and from east to west and vice-versa.
In Delhi, eight events have been planned in the national capital with the main celebration being held in the Connaught Place.
Adding that yoga has nothing to do with religion, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said, "I want it to become a people's movement because it is not something political or religious, it is for the betterment of our lives. It shouldn't be just for one day, it should be a part of our daily lives."
Home Minister Rajnath Singh who joined the yoga enthusiasts in Lucknow emphasised on Prime Minister Modi's role in popularising yoga around the world. "Today the entire world is celebrating Yoga day. Yoga’s popularity and acceptability is spreading around the world cutting across the continents and religious lines. When India moved the resolution for International Yoga Day in the United Nations, it was supported by many Muslim member countries as well. Yoga is an example of our Prime Minister’s cultural diplomacy," he added.
(Express photo by Javed Raja)
Express photo by Nirmal Harindran
Express photo Sahil Walia
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Rawat said that Modi’s presence in Dehradun on Yoga Day will give the state the “much-needed recognition as a yoga destination”. This, he said, will eventually enhance the tourism potential of the state. Thanking Prime Minister Modi for choosing Uttarakhand to kick-start the celebration, Uttarakhand CM Rawat said, "Modi ji, you have a special connection with Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand is happy to host the celebrations.
"Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient yet modern, it is constant yet evolving. It has the best of our past and presents and a ray of hope for our future. In yoga, we have the perfect solution to the problems we face, either as individuals or in our society. The way to lead a calm, creative and content life is Yoga. Instead of dividing, Yoga unites. Instead of further animosity, Yoga assimilates. Instead of increasing suffering, Yoga heals," Modi said in Dehradun
Talking about India's role in promoting yoga, PM Modi said the country should be honoured to be the "guardians of the great practice." "We should be proud of our culture. On the contrary, if we doubt our tradition and culture then the world will not put it's faith in us," Modi added.
Emphasising on the power of yoga and its global reach, Prime Minister Modi said, "From Dehradun to Dublin, from Shanghai to Chicago, from Jakarta to Johannesburg, there's just yoga The practice of yoga is making better each life (across the world). While many powers in the world divide us, yoga unites us. It gives peace to an individual. It brings happiness and peace to the lives of its practitioners. It is these happy and peaceful people who will make the society, so yoga can lead to a happy and peaceful society.
"Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient yet modern, it is constant yet evolving. It has the best of our past and presents and a ray of hope for our future. In Yoga, we have the perfect solution to the problems we face, either as individuals or in our society. India is Yoga's top ambassador," Prime Minister Modi said.
Addressing the crowd on the occasion, Modi said, "Yoga is India's gift to the world. It is a passport for wellness. The world has embraced Yoga and glimpses of this can be seen in the manner in which International Day of Yoga has been marked every year. Infact, Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well-being."
Welcome to the live blog. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading India's celebrations on International Yoga Day. Follow this space to get latest news