Make Holistic Health People-Led Movement By Promoting Yoga, Millets: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged gram panchayat presidents to make holistic health a people-led movement by spreading more awareness about yoga and millet which, he said, help preserve soil health and aid the fight against climate change. In a letter to Gram Pradhans, PM Modi also extended best wishes to all residents of Gram Panchayats for the 10th International Yoga Day. “As the custodians of democratic institutions at the grassroots level, I urge you to make holistic health a people-led movement by spreading more awareness about yoga and millets,” PM Modi said in the letter dated 13th June 2024. He further added,

The initiative to organize Yoga-based programmes in Panchayat premises, schools, Anganwadis, Community Health Centres and other such places will serve as a catalyst to inspire people, particularly the youth, to embrace a sustainable, stress-free lifestyle. Greetings and best wishes to everyone for the International Day of Yoga.

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The Prime Minister said that the International Day of Yoga is a celebration of the impact Yoga has had on the global community. PM Modi wrote in the letter,

Nations across the world are gearing up to celebrate the 10th edition of International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2024. It is a celebration of the impact that Yoga has had on the global community, as well as the positive changes that it has ushered in our lives. The theme of International Day of Yoga this year, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ will further strengthen our efforts to build a healthy nation.

The PM said that while Yoga is essential for the body and mind millets promote good health through nutrition. He further said,

Yoga is a gift of our ancient culture that helps pursue holistic health and wellness. The practice of Yoga strengthens us physically and mentally. Just as Yoga is essential for the body and mind, superfoods such as millets, also known as Shree Anna, promote good health through nutrition. They help preserve soil health and aid the fight against climate change. The rising demand for millets also enhances the income of our small farmers.

Recognising its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.

The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.

The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly, in which he 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.”

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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which in its Season 10 is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Ayushmann Khurrana. 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 – the LGBTQ population, indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In a world post COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) 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, fight malnutrition, mental well-being, 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 like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.