Yoga a ray of hope in Covid times: PM Modi in address on 7th International Day of Yoga

NEW DELHI: Yoga will be a ray of hope as the world fights the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address on 7th International Day of Yoga.
He said that yoga has been an armour for doctors treating Covid patients, as certain asanas improve the respiratory system and resist infection. It also made people strong from within, helping in fighting the disease, Modi said.
June 21 is celebrated as International Day of Yoga since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly.
The event this year was a departure from the grand scale of celebrations globally, due to the pandemic situation. The theme for this year was "Yoga for wellness."
"The 'Yoga For Wellness' theme this year has encouraged people even more to perform yoga. I pray that every country, region, and people, stays healthy," he said, adding that the pandemic has not dampened the enthusiasm for yoga worldwide.
He also announced that in collaboration with WHO, an app M-Yoga will be launched which will have yoga training videos in different languages for people across the world. "This will help us in our 'One World, One Health' motto," he said. "Yoga leads us from stress to strength and from negativity to creativity."
The Prime Minister stressed on the need to reach yoga to every corner of the world and the need for fusion of modern technology and ancient scientific knowledge like yoga. Yoga will play a preventive and positive role in healthcare for masses, Modi said.
In December 2014, India introduced the draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly to mark June 21 as International Day of Yoga. It received widespread support, with 177 nations co-sponsoring the resolution.