International Yoga Day 2023: “Yoga Is Free From Copyright, Patent, Royalty”, Says PM Modi At UN

New Delhi: The world is celebrating the ninth International Day of Yoga with the theme of “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is a family). In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA. Before starting the yoga practice with a large group of people at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters, PM Modi addressed the gathering and shared the unique features of yoga, India’s gift to the world.

Also Read: “What Unites Us, Is Yoga,” Says PM Modi, Wishing People On International Day Of Yoga 2023

Further talking about the many advantages of practising yoga, PM Modi said,

When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm and emotionally content. But it is not just about doing exercise on a mat.

Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: President Of India Urges Everyone To Adopt Yoga In Daily Lives

Calling Yoga a way of life, PM Modi added,

It is a holistic approach to health and well-being. A way to mindfulness in thoughts and actions. A way to live in harmony with self, others and nature.

While signing off, PM Modi urged the world to use the power of yoga not only to be healthy, and happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. He added,

Let us use the power of yoga to build bridges of friendship, a peaceful world and a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realise the goal of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.

He concluded with a wish,

May everyone be happy. May everyone be healthy.

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.