21st June, 2018
Yoga has emerged as one of the biggest unifying forces in the world, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as he led celebrations on the occasion of the fourth International Yoga Day.
Modi, while addressing a gathering of thousands of young yoga practitioners on the sprawling lawns of the Forest Research Institute in the hill town of Dehradun, said that the practice of yoga was spreading far and wide.
“The ancient tradition of yoga that combined the best of India’s past and present was a perfect solution for the problems facing individuals and societies in a stress-filled, fast-paced world.
“From Tokyo to Toronto, from Stockholm to Sao Paolo, yoga has become a positive influence on the life of millions.
“In fact, Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well-being,’’ Modi said.
Yoga, an ancient discipline first practiced by Hindu sages thousands of years ago, is one of India’s biggest cultural exports, with millions of practitioners worldwide.
Global yoga events were held for the first time in 2015 after June 21 was declared the International Day of Yoga by the UN to coincide with the summer solstice.
Yoga events were held across India with thousands of people including several leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party participating.