"Great service to humanity": JP Nadda credits PM Modi for globalising yoga
New Delhi, June 21
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party leader JP Nadda on Sunday celebrated the 12th International Day of Yoga in the national capital, participating in a mass yoga session. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership for taking yoga to the global stage.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda emphasised yoga's transformative impact on daily life and highlighted that such a discipline should be adopted worldwide for the betterment of humanity.
"The Prime Minister has done a great service to humanity by bringing yoga to the global level and has made a huge contribution in giving a new direction to humanity and the decision of the United Nations Organisation to make it Yoga Day is a proof that by recognizing yoga internationally, it can be brought into the lives of the common people and it should not remain just a method of any country but should become a method of the world and should be useful for humanity. Keeping this in mind, we are celebrating Yoga Day... All of you should also incorporate yoga in your life and move forward in life with yoga," he said.
The 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga is being observed across the country and around the world on Sunday under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', highlighting the role of yoga in promoting healthy and active living across all stages of life.
PM Narendra Modi led the national observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga at the Red Road in Kolkata today, joining the participants in celebrating the global event centred on wellness and healthy living.
This year's theme, 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', reflects the growing global emphasis on healthy and active living across the lifespan. As populations age and non-communicable diseases and lifestyle-related health concerns rise globally, the emphasis is shifting from simply adding years to life to enhancing health span, quality of life and overall well-being.
India and Yoga share a bond that spans millennia. Rooted in India's ancient traditions, Yoga has evolved from a spiritual and philosophical practice into a global movement for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Recognising its universal appeal and benefits, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. The proposal, introduced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 69th session of the UN, was supported by 175 member states. The first observance was held on 21st June 2015.
This landmark recognition acknowledged India's contribution to global wellness. It also carried yoga's journey to a new stage, transforming it into a worldwide celebration across continents.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the credit to PM for globalising yoga, but let's not forget the thousands of yoga gurus and practitioners who kept this tradition alive for centuries. Politicians often take credit for grassroots efforts. Still, nice to see International Yoga Day being celebrated worldwide.
As a yoga teacher in Bangalore, I can see the impact firsthand. More foreign students are coming to India to learn authentic yoga, and our local classes have also grown. Whether or not politicians get the credit, the result is positive for everyone. Healthy ageing through yoga? Count me in! 🧘♀️
Living in Australia, I never thought I'd be doing yoga in a park with my neighbours. But every June 21, our community comes together for Yoga Day. Thank you, India, for this gift. The "healthy ageing" focus is especially relevant for our ageing population. 🇦🇺
Honestly, I'm tired of everything being politicised. Can't we just celebrate yoga without linking it to a particular leader? But yes, props to PM Modi for the UN proposal. My 70-year-old grandfather does yoga daily and it keeps him fit. That's the real takeaway here.
From Chicago to Chennai, yoga is everywhere now. The World Health Organization should also consider including yoga in their non-pharmaceutical health guidelines. Great move by India and the UN. 🇺🇳
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