Narendra Modi calls for International Yoga Day

Ashwin Shuklapaksha Panchmi, Kaliyug Varsh 5116

Yoga is enjoying rising popularity in the United States and has now become a multi-billion dollar business, but its link to India is often understated ! 

New York : Yoga got a strong leg up on the world stage when Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for observing an International Yoga Day, describing the ancient science as “India’s gift to the world.”

Modi’s unexpected reference to yoga during in his UN General Assembly speech came when he was talking about climate change and going back to basics. Yoga is not just about fitness or exercise, it is about changing one’s lifestyle, Modi said, plugging for ancient practice that was introduced to the west by Modi’s spiritual inspiration, Swami Vivekananda.

Yoga is enjoying rising popularity in the United States and has now become a multi-billion dollar business, but its link to India is often understated. Modi’s public reference on the world stage to India’s gift is possible meant to remind international audience of this link. Some organizations have been celebrating World Yoga Day since 2007 (the next one is on February 22, 2015), but it has no official sanction.

In previous interviews, Modi has said he is fortunate to have been introduced to the world of yoga and pranayama at a young age and it helps him synchronize the heart, mind, and body.

India’s Prime Minister has been keeping a nine-day Navaratri fast during which time he subsists only on a liquid diet, mostly lemon juice, but he showed no sign of fatigue during his 30-minute speech that was delivered in a strong voice, without once pausing to even sip water. New York City itself is something of a yoga capital in the US, with enthusiasts promoting the science in public places such as Times Square and Central Park.

Source : Times Of India