Noting the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister recalled that a record 177 countries endorsed India’s proposal in the UN. He also mentioned subsequent records made in the context of IYD such as 35,000 people doing yoga on Kartavya Path in 2015 and more than 130 countries participating in the yoga event led by the Prime Minister at the UN Headquarters last year. He also expressed happiness that more than 100 institutes in India and 10 major foreign institutes have been recognized by the Yoga Certification Board formed by the Ministry of Ayush.
- “The number of people practicing Yoga is growing worldwide”
- “The atmosphere, energy and experience from yoga can be felt in Jammu & Kashmir today”
- “Today the world is seeing a new Yoga economy emerging”
- “The world is looking at Yoga as a powerful agent of global good”
- “Yoga helps us live in the present moment, without baggage of the past”
- “Yoga is scripting new pathways of positive change in society”
- “Yoga helps us realize that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us”
- “Yoga is not only a discipline but also a science”
The Prime Minister underlined that the number of people practicing yoga is growing worldwide while its attraction is constantly on the rise. He highlighted that yoga’s utility is also being recognized by the people and stated that there is barely any world leader who has not discussed yoga during his interactions. “All world leaders show a keen interest in yoga during their interactions with me”, he said. He asserted that yoga has become a part of daily life in every corner of the world. Throwing light on the growing acceptance of yoga around the world, the Prime Minister recalled inaugurating a Yoga Center during his visit to Turkmenistan in 2015 and that yoga has become extremely popular in the country today.
He further informed that State Medical Universities in Turkmenistan have included yoga therapy, Saudi Arabia has made it a part of their education system and Mongolian Yoga Foundation is running many yoga schools. Informing about the acceptance of yoga in Europe, the Prime Minister said that so far, 1.5 crore German citizens have become yoga practitioners. He also recalled India awarding a Padma Shree this year to a 101-year-old French yoga teacher for her contributions to yoga even though she had not visited India even once. He further added that yoga has become a topic of research today and multiple research papers have already been published.
Touching upon the changing notions about yoga due to its expansion in the last 10 years, the Prime Minister talked about a new Yoga Economy. He mentioned the growing attraction for yoga tourism and people's desire to visit India to learn authentic yoga. He also mentioned yoga retreats, resorts, dedicated facilities for yoga at airports and hotels, yoga apparel and equipment, personal yoga trainers, and companies carrying out yoga and Mindfulness wellness initiatives. All these are creating new avenues of employment for the youth, he added.
Talking about the theme of this year’s IYD -‘Yoga for Self and Society’, PM Modi said that the world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good and it enables us to live in the present without the baggage of the past. PM Modi emphasized, “Yoga helps us realize that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us. When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world.”
Stressing the scientific aspects of yoga, the Prime Minister highlighted its importance for coping with information overload and maintaining focus as, he said, concentration is the greatest power. That is why, the Prime Minister explained, yoga is being incorporated in fields ranging from army to sports. Astronauts are also being trained in yoga and meditation. Yoga is also being used in prisons to spread positive thoughts among the inmates. “Yoga is scripting new pathways of positive change in the society”, PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that inspiration derived from yoga will give positive energy to our efforts. The Prime Minister lauded the enthusiasm of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, especially Srinagar, towards yoga and said that it provides a platform to boost the tourism of the Union Territory. He also praised the spirit of the people to come out and show their support despite the rainy weather conditions. “Association of 50,000 to 60,000 people with yoga program in Jammu & Kashmir is huge”, he added. The Prime Minister concluded his address by thanking the people of Jammu & Kashmir for their support and participation and conveyed his best wishes to all Yoga enthusiasts from around the world.
Background
On the occasion of the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2024, the Prime Minister led the International Yoga Day Celebrations at SKICC, Srinagar. This year's event underscores yoga's profound impact on young minds and bodies. The celebration aims to unite thousands in the practice of yoga, promoting health and wellness on a global scale.
Since 2015, the Prime Minister has led the International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at various iconic locations, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru and even the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This year’s theme ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ highlights the dual role in fostering individual and societal well-being. The event will encourage grassroots participation and the spread of Yoga in rural areas.
- English rendering of PM’s address at International Day of Yoga celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
I am fortunate to be in the land of yoga and meditation, Kashmir, on International Yoga Day. The environment, energy, and experiences of Kashmir and Srinagar allow us to feel the strength we get from yoga. I extend greetings from the land of Kashmir to all people in the country and to those practicing yoga in every corner of the world on Yoga Day.
Friends,
International Yoga Day has completed a historic journey of 10 years. I proposed International Yoga Day at the United Nations in 2014. This proposal by Bharat was supported by 177 countries, which was a record in itself. Since then, Yoga Day has been setting new records. In 2015, 35,000 people practiced yoga together at Kartavya Path in Delhi, which was also a world record. Last year, I had the opportunity to lead the Yoga Day celebration at the UN Headquarters in the USA, where people from more than 130 countries participated. This journey of yoga continues unbroken. The AYUSH department has established the Yoga Certification Board for yoga practitioners in Bharat. I am pleased that today more than 100 major institutions in the country are recognized by this board. Ten major institutions abroad have also received recognition from this board.
Friends,
The number of people practicing yoga around the world is steadily increasing, and so is the attraction towards yoga. People are increasingly convinced of the utility of yoga. Whenever I meet global leaders anywhere in the world, almost everyone talks to me about yoga. Senior leaders from all over the world always discuss yoga with me and ask questions with great curiosity. Yoga is becoming a part of daily life in many countries. I remember inaugurating a yoga centre in Turkmenistan in 2015. Today, yoga has become very popular there. Yoga therapy is also included in the State Medical University of Turkmenistan. Saudi Arabia has even included yoga in its education system. Several yoga schools are being run in Mongolia under the Mongolian Yoga Foundation. The trend of yoga is also increasing rapidly in European countries. Today, about 1.5 crore people in Germany have become yoga practitioners. You may recall, a 101-year-old female yoga teacher from France was awarded the Padma Shri in Bharat this year. She had never been to Bharat, but she dedicated her entire life to promoting yoga. Today, major institutions and universities worldwide are conducting research on yoga and publishing research papers.
Friends,
The expansion of yoga over the past ten years has changed perceptions associated with yoga. Yoga is now emerging beyond limited boundaries. The world is witnessing the rise of a new yoga economy. In Bharat, a new trend of yoga tourism is being observed from Rishikesh and Kashi to Kerala. Tourists from all over the world are coming to Bharat because they want to learn authentic yoga. Yoga retreats and yoga resorts are being established. Dedicated facilities for yoga are being created at airports and hotels. The market is seeing designer apparel and equipment for yoga. People are now hiring personal yoga trainers for their fitness. Companies are also starting yoga and mindfulness programs as part of employee wellness initiatives. All these have created new opportunities and employment for the youth.
Friends,
The theme of this year’s International Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’. The world is looking at Yoga as a powerful agent of global good. Yoga helps us live in the present moment, without baggage of the past. It connects us with ourselves and our deepest feelings. It brings about oneness of the mind, body and soul. Yoga helps us realise that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us. When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world.
Friends,
Yoga is not just a discipline but also a science. In this era of information revolution, where there is a flood of information resources everywhere, focusing on one subject is proving to be a big challenge for the human mind. Yoga provides a solution to this as well. We know that concentration is the greatest strength of the human mind. This ability is also enhanced through yoga and meditation. Therefore, yoga is being included in the army to sports. Astronauts are also given yoga and meditation training as part of their space program training. This increases productivity and endurance. Nowadays, even prisoners are being made to practice yoga in many jails, so they can focus their minds on positive thoughts. Yoga is paving the way for positive changes in society.
Friends,
I believe that the inspiration from yoga will continue to energize our positive efforts.
Friends,
There was a slight delay today due to rain causing some obstacles, but since yesterday, I have seen the attraction towards yoga and the enthusiasm with which people in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in Srinagar, are eager to join yoga. This itself is an opportunity to strengthen tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. I will certainly meet with people associated with yoga after this program. Due to the rain, we had to hold the program here today. However, I consider it a great achievement that 50-60 thousand people in Jammu and Kashmir participated in the yoga program, and I congratulate the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Once again, I extend my best wishes for Yoga Day to all of you. My best wishes to all yoga enthusiasts around the world.
Thank you very much!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of PM’s speech. Original speech was delivered in Hindi.
PM addresses yoga practitioners at Dal Lake on International Yoga Day, 2024 in Srinagar
- “Today’s spectacle of enthusiasm and commitment shown by the people of Jammu & Kashmir towards yoga will be immortalized”
- “Yoga should come naturally and become an instinctive part of life”
- “Meditation is a great tool for self-improvement”
- “Yoga is as important, applicable and powerful for the self as it is for society”
SRINAGAR: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the citizens of Srinagar at the Dal Lake on the occasion of International Day of Yoga today. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that today’s spectacle of enthusiasm and commitment shown by the people of Jammu & Kashmir towards yoga will be immortalized in the minds of people.
He underlined that the rainy weather conditions leading to a fall in the temperature failed to dampen the spirit of the people, even though the International Yoga Day program was delayed and had to be fragmented into 2-3 parts. Shri Modi highlighted the importance of yoga in becoming an instinct of life for self and society and said that the benefits of yoga can be reaped when it gets associated with daily life and takes a simpler form.
The Prime Minister said that meditation, which is part of yoga, can intimidate common people due to its spiritual overtones, however, it could be understood easily as concentration and focus on things. He said that this concentration and focus can be cultivated with practice and techniques. This state of mind gives great results with least tiredness and helps to avoid distractions. He said apart from the spiritual journey, which will eventually come, meditation is a tool for self-improvement and training.
“Yoga is as important, applicable and powerful for the self as it is for society”, the Prime Minister emphasized. He said that entire humanity benefits when society benefits from yoga. He recalled watching a video about a competition organized in Egypt regarding photographing or making a video on yoga at the country’s iconic tourism centers and praised the efforts of those taking part in it. “Similarly, yoga and tourism can become a major source of employment in Jammu & Kashmir”, the Prime Minister highlighted.
Concluding the address, the Prime Minister lauded the commitment of the people of Jammu & Kashmir to withstand the harsh weather conditions and come out in large numbers to show their support for the International Yoga Day, 2024 event in Srinagar.