International Yoga Day 2023: Here Is How India Is Celebrating The Day

New Delhi: The International Day of Yoga is celebrated across the world annually on June 21 since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his maiden address at the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014 had proposed the idea for the adoption of an International Day of Yoga, describing the ancient Indian tradition as an invaluable gift to humankind. Following this, in December, all 193 UN member states unanimously agreed to mark the International Day of Yoga.

For the first time, the Prime Minister  will lead a special yoga session at the UN Headquarters in New York as a part of his state visit to the United States. The concept was introduced by him during his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, Yoga has gained huge popularity worldwide due to its ability to enhance flexibility, strength, balance, and overall fitness.27 mins ago

Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: All You Need To Know About The Celebrations 

Here is how India celebrated the day:

Kicking off the 9th edition of the International Yoga Day,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes through a special video message in which he called yoga a “global movement.”

BJP National President, Jagat Prakash Nadda Celebrated The 9th International Yoga Day in Gurugram, Haryana.

The Yoga enthusiasts in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur have spread their Yoga mats and performed CYP demonstration.

Union ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandviya and Piyush Gotal and Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena took part in yoga day events in the city.

Union Petroleum Minister Puri said in a tweet,

Yoga for ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’! Joined exponents and practitioners of yoga in a global celebration of the ancient practice of fitness at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.” He also tweeted a 90-clip of him performing ‘asanas’.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mnadaviya participated in Yoga program at AIIMS New Delhi on the occasion of today International Day Of Yoga 2023. He said,

Yoga is spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ all over the world. Let us all together adopt yoga in our life and build a healthy body.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi VK Saxena, participated in an event organised by the Delhi Development Authority at Bansera in Sarai Kale Khan.

Our sages discovered yoga. It is one of the keys to health where there is no expenditure. PM Modi took it on an international level. We all should adopt it, Mr. Saxena said. Delhi Mayor Shelly Oberoi also participated in an event organised by the Municipal Corproration of Delhi at Subhash Nagar.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari greeted people on the occasion of the International Yoga Day and said yoga has got recognition across the world. Mr. Gadkari was addressing a gathering at a Yoga Day programme in his hometown Nagpur in Maharashtra. he said,

Yoga has got recognition across the world. The International Yoga Day is celebrated not only in India, but many parts of the world in a big way.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh  conveyed his best wishes to the people of India on the 9th International Yoga Day. Along with Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar, he performed yoga on board INS Vikrant on International Yoga Day.

Talking to the reporters, Mr Singh said,

First of all, from this platform, I convey my best wishes to all of you and all the countrymen on the 9th International Yoga Day. It is a matter of great pleasure and pride for me, that we all are starting this International Day of Yoga today with a session on the indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant. Today, International Yoga Day is being celebrated with great enthusiasm not only in India but all over the world. It is a matter of great pride for all of us as a nation, and as a culture, that the world is now acknowledging and adopting our culture.

The Defence Minister stated the importance of yoga in one’s life and said that it connects man with nature, and people’s souls to the divine and most essentially it united body and mind.

When we look at the meaning of yoga, we find that the meaning of yoga is to join. It connects man with nature. Connects our soul to the divine. Connects this world with the hereafter. And most importantly, it unites our body and mind, he said.

Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: 5 Yoga Asanas To Practise Daily For Better Health

Highlighting the importance of yoga, Mr Singh said that apart from yoga, no other accessible medium can be found to prevent any kind of physical, mental, or spiritual disturbances.

You must have seen around you that people spend a lot of money for their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. In the last few years, you must have also seen how we are getting to see many such diseases in the youth, which usually come in the human body after adulthood, Mr Singh said.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose participated in the ninth International Yoga Day celebrations in Kolkata along with the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets and officials of the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC).

Following the program, the Governor said that yoga has united the East and the West. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be participating in a yoga program at the United Nations headquarter where he had said that yoga is the way to the world.

Yoga has united East and West. Today Indian Prime Minister told the United Nations that yoga is the way to the world. Let us come together coming together is the beginning, discovery and success of yoga.

Here Is How Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Thakur Celebrated International Yoga Day.  He performed Yoga in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh.

“Exercise brings health, longevity, strength and happiness,” said Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister, Keshav Prasad Maurya, while wishing the citizens on International Yoga Day.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that Yoga was the key solution to all the physical and mental problems and ailments. Hence, it should be imbibed in one’s daily routine.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar on Wednesday called upon the countrymen and people across the globe to adopt yoga for unity in the world.
The national celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 was led by Dhankhar in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur city.

The vice president and other dignitaries took part in collective yoga programme on the theme ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam Ke Liye Yoga’ held at the Garrison Ground here.

Yoga is not a one day event, but a daily exercise and we should take the resolve to follow it religiously as called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Madhya Pradesh governor and the chief minister, VP Dhankar said.

The Vice President also preformed yoga at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.

Also Read: UN Officials Look Forward To Doing Yoga With PM Modi

Union Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday performed Yoga at an indoor stadium in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida, to mark the 9th International Yoga Day.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma also performed Yoga in Assam’s Dhubri to mark the ongoing International Yoga Day celebration. Meanwhile, Union Minister Piyush Goyal performed Yoga at Mumbai’s iconic landmark Gateway of India.

Minister of Earth and Sciences, Kiren Rijiju extended his warm wishes wishes on International Yoga Day.

“Let us pledge to incorporate Yoga in our daily lifestyle and encourage others to practice,” he said.

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw performed Yoga in Odisha’s Balasore to mark the 9th International Yoga Day.

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, participated in the International Yoga Day programme with inmates at Bhopal Central Jail. He said,

The whole world has accepted and accepted the yoga tradition of India, which is becoming a world guru under the able leadership of the successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi  ji. It is the result of the vision of the Honorable Prime Minister that today 180 countries are doing yoga together.

 Also Read: Live Updates: International Yoga Day 2023

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi  led the International Yoga Day celebrations in the state, performing the ‘asanas’ with his spouse at Chidambaram. Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian, BJP state president K Annamalai and scores of yoga enthusiasts participated in events held in different parts of the state.

Governor Ravi and Laxmi Ravi performed Yoga along with youth and yoga practitioners at Annamalai University on International Yoga Day2023. The artists put up a scintillating yoga performance showcasing various forms of yoga, a Raj Bhavan official tweet said.

Yoga is an art of science for healthy living that focusses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer said on Wednesday, marking the ninth International Yoga Day. The Governor participated in the celebrations held at Raj Bhavan and noted that yoga reduces stress.

Yoga focusses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, keeps the body fit and helps in reducing stress, said Mr Nazeer in a press release issued by Raj Bhavan.

Yoga has become a symbol of love and hope around the globe, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its worldwide popularity.

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra led the celebrations at the Raj Bhavan here to mark the International Day of Yoga. Mr Mishra, who was joined by Raj Bhavan officers and other staff members, performed ‘asanas’ such as ‘bhastrika’, ‘kapalbhati’, ‘nulom vilom’ and ‘bhramari’.

G20 delegates perform Yoga along with Goa Governor PS Shreedharan Pillai, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of Tourism and Defence Ajay Bhatt on the occasion of International Yoga Day at Raj Bhawan in Goa.

While addressing the media, Goa Governor PS Shreedharan Pillai said,

The country achieved great success because more than 180 countries and we are observing this day. In the UN also our prime minister is participating. This is for the prosperity of the Indians. Concept of Vasudev Kutumbakam is there. So, for PM Modi, for the unity of the country and for the unity of the entire universe, all creatures in the world, that is our concept that is spreading.

He added,

This is very much helpful and international thinking that adhere the universe is one, that concept also is a good thing. And I am very happy that this time because of the G20 delegates from various countries they came all the way to Raj Bhawan and we can proudly say it’s a perfect moment in our Raj Bhawan’s life’.

G20 delegates also shared their experiences and said yoga is good for relaxing and focuses on the spiritual side.

Speaking with ANI, Dieter Janecek, Coordinator for Tourism from Germany said,

It’s my first time experiencing here being in Goa and being part of a yoga session, and I really much appreciated that. It’s very good for relaxing. It’s bringing some sports to my body. And that’s one thing I very much appreciate. So thank you very much. Well, this was my first time ever that I did some yoga sessions. So it was quite unusual but very fast could get into relaxation, and I liked the way it was introduced and so I think I will do it again.

Ji Eun Park, Republic Of Korea expressed her gratitude to the Indian government for organising the yoga event and said that she feel very honoured and privileged to practice yoga in India on the 9th International Yoga Day. She said,

I feel very honoured and privileged to practice yoga in India on this special day of International Yoga Day. So thank you to the Indian government for organizing this event. This is my first time practising yoga and it has been on my bucket list ever since I got here in India. I want to emphasize that it has a spiritual side not only just focuses on the body, but also on the mind. So that’s something different from yoga everywhere else.

Cameron MacKay, Canada’s high commissioner in India said that he feels energetic and relaxed after performing yoga.

I’m delighted to be here in Goa for the first time for the G20 Tourism ministers meeting. Today’s International Yoga Day, of course, we started off the day with a yoga session. Just a terrific way to begin the day. I’m feeling energetic and relaxed all at the same time. Thanks to yoga. Yoga is very popular in Canada, and I’ve certainly performed yoga in Canada as well and my wife is an even bigger fan.

Every year International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21 worldwide. It serves as a platform to raise awareness about the numerous benefits of yoga and promote its holistic approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: Five Asanas That Can Help You To Stay Fit And Healthy