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PM Modi leads the 9th International Day of Yoga at UN, New York
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the 9th annual International Day of Yoga celebrations at the iconic North Lawn of the UN Headquarters in New York City on 21 June 2023. The Day of Yoga was also celebrated in various countries across the world. The theme for this year is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth – One Family – One Future”.
The event witnessed an overwhelming response from thousands of yoga enthusiasts from over 135 nationalities, setting a GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for participation by maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga session. A video message by UN Secretary-General Mr. Antonio Guterres was played as well.
The event was graced by several notable dignitaries and prominent personalities from all walks of life -Diplomats, Officials, Academicians, Health professionals, Technocrats, Industry leaders, Media personalities, Artists, Spiritual leaders and Yoga practitioners; including H.E. Mr. Csaba Korosi, President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly; Mr. Eric Adams, Mayor of New York City; H.E. Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
Prior to the yoga session, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid floral tributes at the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which was inaugurated in December 2022, during India’s UNSC Presidency. Prime Minister thereafter paid his respects at a Peacekeeping Memorial, also on the North Lawn.
Noteworthy, the first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.
The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today, it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity. PM’s Remarks at 9th International Day of Yoga – 2023
Addressing on the occasion, PM Shri Narendra Modi said on this fine morning, we are gathered here at the United Nations. At the meeting point of entire humanity! In this wonderful city of New York! I know, many of you have come from far away. Most of you have woken up before sunrise, and made the effort to come here. I am delighted to see you all. And, I thank you all for coming!
‘Yoga means – to Unite’
He said, “I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. And, what an amazing cause to bring us all together – Yoga! Yoga means – to Unite. So, your coming together is an expression of another form of yoga. I remember, about nine years ago, right here at the UN, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of Yoga on 21st June”.
Shri Modi said, “It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then. I have just paid respects to the brave UN Peacekeepers. In 2015, I had called for a new memorial to be built at the UN in their memory. And last week, the whole world joined hands with India to make this a reality soon. As the largest troop contributing nation, we are grateful to all nations for their expression of support to this noble cause”.
International Year of Millets
Last year, the entire world came together to support India’s proposal to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets are a superfood. They promote
Yoga is deeply associated with our culture : JP Nadda
Bharatiya Janata Party National President Shri JP Nadda participated in the International Yoga Day programme at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram on 21 June, 2023. Addressing the occasion, the BJP National President said, “It is a matter of great pride for the country that today, 192 countries of the world are organising yoga programmes and the world is adopting the tradition of our country”.
Shri Nadda said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had proposed the International Day of Yoga in the United Nations General Assembly, which was supported by all the countries. Since then, every year on June 21, yoga day is celebrated across the world.
The BJP National President said the yoga day celebrations serve as a platform to raise awareness about its numerous benefits and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
He urged the people to incorporate the practice into their daily routine. “Yoga is deeply associated with our culture which connects our mind, soul, intellect and body. Yoga teaches the world the art of living peacefully, and how to live a happy and balanced life. Yoga keeps the mind calm and the body healthy,” the BJP President said.
Haryana BJP President Shri Om Prakash Dhankar, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh MP Shri Dharambir Singh and others also attended the programme. Shri Nadda also attended ‘Har Ghar Aangan Yoga’ in Gurugram.
Defence Minister Celebrates Int’l Yoga Day onboard INS Vikrant at Kochi
Yoga-fostering resilience, discipline & overall well-being : Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh joined the Indian Navy personnel onboard the indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, for the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Kochi, Kerala on 21 June, 2023. Over 800-Armed Force personnel along with their families, came together to join the event embracing the spirit of unity and well-being.Expert yoga instructors guided the participants through various Yoga Asanas and breathing exercises promoting physical fitness, mental calmness and spiritual healing. On completion, Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated the yoga instructors and interacted with the participants including the Indian Navy Agniveers who are undergoing their professional courses at the Southern Naval Command.
In his address, Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the role of yoga in fostering resilience, discipline, and overall well-being among the armed forces. He expressed his gratitude to all participants for their unwavering commitment and acknowledged their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation’s security.
holistic health and are good for environment too. And today, It is wonderful to see the entire world come together again for Yoga!
Union Home Minister greets people on
Int’l Yoga Day
Yoga an invaluable heritage given by India to the world: Amit Shah
Union Home & Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah on 21 June, greeted people on the occasion of International Yoga Day, and said Yoga is an invaluable heritage given by India to the world. He also mentioned yoga as a medium to concentrate the body, mind and soul, and said practicing yoga makes both mind and body healthy.
“Best wishes to everyone on ‘International Yoga Day’. Yoga is the medium to concentrate the body, mind and soul, which not only makes the body healthy but also the brain,” Shri Amit Shah tweeted.
Shri Shah said that with the efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, yoga has become a lifestyle of people all over the world. “This is an invaluable heritage given by India to the world, which Narendra Modi ji has worked to take to the whole world. With the efforts of Modi ji, today ‘Yoga’ has become a lifestyle of people all over the world”.
The PM said Yoga comes from India. And, it is a very old tradition. But like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic. Yoga is free – from copyright, free from patents, and free from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable – to your age, gender, and fitness level. Yoga is portable – you can do it at home, or at work, or in transit. Yoga is flexible – you can practice it alone, or in a group, learn from a teacher, or be self-taught. Yoga is unifying – it is for everyone, for all ethnicities, for all faiths, and for all cultures. Yoga is truly universal.
Yoga is a way of life
Shri Modi said when we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm, and emotionally content. But it is not just about doing exercises on a mat. Yoga is a way of life. A holistic approach to health and wellbeing. A way to have mindfulness in thoughts and actions. A way to live in harmony – with self, with others and with nature. I am delighted that many of you are working on scientifically validating different aspects of Yoga. Indeed, this is the way.
Use power of Yoga to build a peaceful world
“I know you are all keen to get started! Well, so am I. I want to thank the United Nations for hosting us here today. I am grateful to the Mayor and the City of New York for all their help and support in making this event a success. And most of all, I want to thank you all once again for being here today. Let us use the power of Yoga not only to be healthy and happy, but also to be kind – to ourselves, and to each other”.
Shri Modi said let us use the power of Yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world, and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realize the goal of – “One Earth, One family, One Future”. I conclude with a wish: सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः May everyone be happy, may everyone be healthy!
UN event Sets Guinness World Record for Most Nationalities in a Yoga Session
The Guinness World Record for most nationalities in a Yoga session was created during the International Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New York.Guinness World Record official, Michael Empric, was present at the UN Headquarters lawn on 21 June morning (local time) to present the award to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, United Nations General Assembly President Mr Csaba Korosi and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ms. Ruchira Kamboj.
Guinness World Records official adjudicator said today, in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness World Records title.
Envoys from over 100 nations, people from all walks of life in the US, prominent New Yorkers, Hollywood celebrities and members of the Indian Diaspora attended the event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Yoga unites millions of people:
UN Secretary General
In a tweet, underlining the importance of Yoga, UN Secretary General Mr António Guterres said, “In a divided world, yoga unites millions of people across the globe, for whom it is a source of strength, harmony, and peace”.On this #YogaDay, let us embrace this spirit of unity, and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people & planet.
Responding to the tweet by the United Secretary General, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi tweeted; “Fully agree with @UN Secretary General @antonioguterres on the importance of Yoga. May Yoga Day bring us all closer and improve the health of our planet.”
Guinness World Record set in Surat as 1.53 lakh people participate in celebration
The Yoga Day event organised in Surat city of Gujarat on 21 June has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering for a yoga session at one place with 1.53 lakh people joining the program. Representatives of the Guinness World Records have confirmed that 1.53 lakh people participated in the Yoga session in Surat. The previous world record was set in 2018 in Kota city of Rajasthan when 1,00,984 people participated in a Yoga Day session in one place.Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel joined the state-level ‘International Day of Yoga celebration in Dumas area of Surat. After this event, representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records handed over a certificate to the Chief Minister declaring that a new world record has been created for the largest gathering of people for a yoga session at one place.
