The 4th International Day of Yoga was celebrated at Rashtrapati Bhavan today with a yoga demonstration. More than 500 officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan and their family members as well as residents of the President’s Estate participated in the event. The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, who is on a state visit to Suriname participated in the celebration along with the President of Suriname and other dignitaries in Paramaribo, Suriname. The President said that while Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition, but it doesn’t belong to India alone. He said it is a part of humanity’s intangible heritage and has invited everyone to explore and celebrate yoga.
The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Yoga is a holistic approach towards health and well-being with physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions to it. Addressing the gathering in Mumbai while participating in the International Day of Yoga 2018 celebrations today, he said that the ancient science of Yoga is India’s invaluable gift to the modern world. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed Yogasan, Pranayama and Dhyan with about 50,000 yoga enthusiasts and volunteers at the Forest Research Institute campus. Giving a clear-cut message to the Yoga enthusiasts all over the world, Prime Minister said that the entire world has embraced Yoga and the glimpses of this can be seen in the way International Day of Yoga is celebrated every year. He further added that Yoga Day has become one of the biggest mass movements in the quest for good health and well-being. Talking about the potential of Yoga, Prime Minister said that Yoga has a solution to most of the problems faced by people, as individuals as well as a society. He said that Yoga could lead to a calm, creative and content life, removing tensions and needless anxiety. “Instead of dividing, Yoga unites. Instead of further animosity, Yoga assimilates. Instead of increasing suffering, Yoga heals”, he added.
