New Delhi: “Yoga unites. It unites body and mind, humanity and nature, and millions of people across the globe, for whom it is a source of strength, harmony, and peace,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres on the occasion of International Day of Yoga 2023. June 21 is celebrated as International Yoga Day annually. This year, the ninth yoga day is being celebrated with the theme of “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: President Of India Urges Everyone To Adopt Yoga In Daily Lives
Sharing the benefits of yoga, India’s gift to the world, “in a dangerous and divided world”, Mr Guterres said,
Yoga offers a haven of calm. It can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection. And it reveals our common humanity – helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one.
In his video message played at UN Headquarters during International Yoga Day celebrations, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called to,
Embrace the spirit of unity, and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet and ourselves.
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. pic.twitter.com/VyPdpb2mKB
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) June 21, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reshared Mr Guterres’ message on Twitter and wrote,
Fully agree with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the importance of Yoga. May Yoga Day bring us all closer and improve the health of our planet.
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. https://t.co/enNyUJte32
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023
It is important to note that it was PM Modi who first proposed the draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga. In his address, during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly in 2014, PM Modi said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”
This year, PM Modi will led the yoga day celebrations from the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, USA.
Also Read: “What Unites Us, Is Yoga,” Says PM Modi, Wishing People On International Day Of Yoga 2023
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
