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Prime Minister Narendra Modi Leads The International Yoga Day Celebrations At United Nations Headquarters In New York

“Yoga is portable. Yoga is flexible,” says Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he leads the 9th edition of International Yoga Day at United Nations Headquarters in New York, for the first time

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New Delhi: In a first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Yoga Day 2023 celebrations, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Leading the 9th year celebrations of Yoga Day at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters with the theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, (The World is a family), PM Modi said, “On this fine morning, we are gathered here at the United Nations. At the meeting point of entire humanity. In this wonderful city of New York.”

Underlining the grandness of Yoga celebrations in New York, PM Modi said,

Friends, I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today. And, what an amazing cause to bring us all together, yoga.

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

Highlighting how the idea of International Yoga Day came to life, PM Modi further said,

Yoga means to unite. So your coming together is an expression of another form of yoga. I remember about nine years ago, right here at the UN, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of Yoga on June 21. It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then. We are grateful to all nations for their support to this noble cause.

Talking about Yoga being the ancient Indian tradition, he further said,

Yoga is free from copyright. Free from patents and free from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable. You can do it at home, or at work or in transit. Yoga is flexible. You can practice it alone or in group. Learn from a teacher or be self-taught. Yoga unifies. It is for everyone, for all ethnicities, for all faiths and cultures. Yoga is truly universal.

Also Read: PM Modi In US: Meets Healthcare Experts On Eradicating Diseases Like Tuberculosis

PM Modi further highlighted the benefits of Yoga and 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. Yoga is a way of life. A holistic approach to health and well-being. A way to mindfulness in thoughts and actions. A way to live in harmony with self, other and nature.

At the event, PM Modi also highlighted how last year the entire world came together to support India’s proposal to support 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Explaining the benefits of Millets, PM Modi said, “Millets are a superfood. They promote holistic health and are good for environment too.”

He later, signed off the event and said,

I want to thank UN for hosting this event here in New York, today. I am grateful to the mayor and the city of new York for making this event successful. Let’s use the power of yoga not only to be healthy, happy but also to be kind to ourselves and to each other. 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.

The International Yoga Day 2023 in New York saw the participation from top UN officials, envoys, people from over 180 countries and significant dignitaries. The list of people attending the grand event today included President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, Actor Richard Gere, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Grammy award winner Ricky Kej to name a few.

Highlighting the importance of June 21, Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador of India to the UN at the event said, “Today’s celebration is indeed very special as PM Modi is leading us in doing yoga here. It is under his leadership that 21st June was declared as #InternationalYogaDay.”

Also Read: From Malaika Arora, Kareena Kapoor Khan To Shilpa Shetty, A Look At How B-Town Marked Yoga Day 2023

UNGA President Csaba Kőrösi on the other hand at the event said, “Yoga changes our physical performance but it can spark in us different mental and intellectual performance. I have been an admirer of Yoga. Our world needs balance and self-control. Yoga is one of the means of achieving this.”

At the UN headquarters, Actor Richard Gere spoke with media about the event and said, “It is a very nice feeling here today..”

Three-time Grammy Award-Winning Musician Ricky Kej said,

I am extremely excited to be here. Thousands of people are here. I will be following PM Modi today and will do yoga here. This time it’s going to be really huge and amazing.

Before the event, PM Modi had paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at UN Headquarters lawns in New York.

He had also shared glimpses of United Nations headquarters on his social media and said, “All set for the International Day of Yoga at the @UN headquarters.”

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.

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