Portrait of Narendra Modi
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Narendra Modi on Yoga

Global Yoga Advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Narendra Modi strongly promotes Yoga as a universal practice for holistic health, unity, and global well-being.

Key Points

  • He initiated the push for the United Nations to declare June 21st as International Day of Yoga on September 27, 2014.

  • The 2022 International Day of Yoga was celebrated with the theme "Yoga for Humanity" with a focus on showcasing India's iconic places.

  • He frames yoga as a journey from illness to wellness, and from 'I' to 'We'.

Summary

Narendra Modi proposed the idea of an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27th, 2014, a resolution which subsequently gained the support of 177 member states. The world celebrated the first International Yoga Day on June 21, 2015, a date chosen for its longest period of sunshine, with him personally performing 21 Aasanas. He views yoga as a comprehensive practice beneficial for maintaining a healthy body and mind, focusing on physical functions, mental clarity, and internal system cleansing through practices like Aasanas and Pranayama. He frequently links yoga to themes of unity, harmony, and global public health.

His advocacy has transformed the observance into a mass movement, exemplified by organizing large-scale demonstrations, such as the main event for the 8th IDY held at Mysuru Palace in 2022 with the theme "Yoga for Humanity." He emphasizes that yoga's essence is "to unite," extending beyond personal discipline to a collective journey for the world. Furthermore, efforts have been made to popularize yoga instruction through accessible resources, including animated video series featuring an animated version of him teaching important asanas in multiple languages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Narendra Modi is a strong advocate for Yoga, viewing it as an invaluable ancient Indian tradition that benefits the entire world. He champions it as a practice essential for holistic health, promoting unity, balance, and harmony among individuals and nations.

He proposed the idea for an International Day of Yoga during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014. This led to the day being officially established and celebrated annually on June 21st.

The date June 21st was chosen for the International Day of Yoga because it is the day with the longest period of sunshine globally. For him, this day symbolizes the collective practice of yoga by people worldwide.

Sources6

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.