NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata, where he urged people to make yoga a part of their daily lives rather than limiting it to a single day of observance.Addressing a gathering at Kolkata’s Red Road, PM Modi said yoga has become a global movement that connects people across countries and cultures. He also highlighted this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, saying yoga plays an important role in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience and active living across all age groups.Leading the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations, PM Modi joined thousands of participants in performing the Common Yoga Protocol. Similar events were held at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, with participation from more than 210 Indian missions and posts.PM Modi said yoga was not merely a form of physical exercise but an expression of the human spirit, adding that it can help people remain healthy, energetic and flexible throughout their lives.Here are the top quotes from PM Modi’s Yoga Day speech:
On yoga becoming a global movement
- “June 21, in some parts of the Earth, is the day with the longest duration of daylight in the year. And because of International Yoga Day, this day, June 21, has also become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration.”
- “The entire nation, world, seems connected. This is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone, brings everyone together. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire world, to the entire human community, on International Yoga Day.”
- “In India, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from the Northeast and Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west, the entire country seems to be filled with the energy of yoga.”
On West Bengal and India’s yoga tradition
- “It is very special to be in Bengal today on the occasion of Yoga Day. The sacred land of Bengal, where saints like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa descended, Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga to the entire world from here… Where great yogis like Lahiri Mahasaya took the yoga tradition to new heights, today the experience of collective yoga on the same land is giving a unique spiritual experience.”
- “Today, on Yoga Day, I would especially like to commend the people of Bengal for the cleanliness drive that has been carried out. This is a wonderful initiative.”
On making yoga a part of everyday life
- “Let us take a pledge, we will not limit yoga to just one day. We will make yoga a part of our lives, part of our families, and we will make it a part of our coming generations.”
- “Yoga is not just physical exercise. It is not restricted to any age group. It is an expression of the human spirit.”
- “The theme ‘Yoga for healthy ageing’ must be seen as one for people of all ages, not just for the elderly… Yoga is not just essential for our lifestyle, it is also a necessity for a better future for the world.”
On the benefits of yoga
- “Yoga can help us tune our bodies to be flexible. It keeps our energy level high. It also helps us maintain a calm, stress-free life and helps to keep diseases away. Moreover, with regular practice, Yoga teaches us to remain a lifelong learner of our own bodies and minds.”
- “Yoga helps us live in balanced manner, teaches us dos and don’ts.”
- “When we speak of Yoga for healthy ageing, it means that we can work to ensure that age doesn’t reduce human potential. Yoga can help human life aspire for constant growth. Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our target must be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our target must be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us.”
The International Yoga Day was first observed on June 21, 2015, after the United Nations General Assembly adopted India’s proposal in 2014 to dedicate a day to the ancient practice. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the idea during his address to the UN General Assembly, highlighting yoga’s universal appeal and benefits. Supported by 175 member states, the initiative has since grown into a global movement promoting physical, mental and emotional well-being, with millions of people participating in Yoga Day events across the world every year.
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