PM: Yoga laying groundwork for int'l cooperation

MYSURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led India in celebrating the eighth International Day of Yoga in the cultural capital of Karnataka on Tuesday, revealing that yoga and fitness are forming the foundation for international cooperation and that it could be used to resolve conflicts and problems.
Clad in a white T-shirt and a pair of white trousers with an Assamese 'gamosa' around his neck, Modi performed asanas and pranayamas for about 45 minutes in the backdrop of the iconic Mysuru Palace and alongside several thousand yoga enthusiasts.
Karnataka governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, CM Basavaraj Bommai, scion of the erstwhile Mysuru royal family Yaduveer Wadiyar, and Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the family matriarch, also participated in the event.
This year's celebration coincided with the 75th year of India's Independence, and for the first time, Modi led celebrations in South India.
"Yoga today has become an international festival," Modi said, adding: "It is not limited to any individual, but it is for the whole of humanity."
Quoting 'maharishis' and 'acharyas', Modi said: "The peace (derived) from yoga is not merely for individuals. Yoga brings peace to our society, our nation, the world and eventually to our universe."
He said yoga makes one conscious and competent towards challenges.
Shortly after participating in the Yoga Day event at the Mysuru Palace, PM Modi called on members of Mysuru's erstwhile royal family and had breakfast with them. Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, matriarch of the family, had invited Modi some time ago and the PM had accepted the invitation. He was served a mixture of south Indian dishes and some of his favourites, besides the famous 'Mysore Pak'. Yaduveer Wadiyar, scion of the erstwhile royal family, his wife Trishikha Kumari and their son Aadyaveer Wadiyar were present.