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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a unique yoga session on Wednesday in a historic ceremony to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga at the UN Headquarters here which will see the participation of senior UN officials, envoys from around the world and eminent personalities.
Landed in New York City. I look forward to the programs here including the interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day program tomorrow, June 21,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Modi is here on the first leg of his first state visit to the United States at the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
I landed in New York City. We look forward to the programs here including interaction with thought leaders and the Yoga Day program for tomorrow, June 21st. pic.twitter.com/6V5gHglLCgNarendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 20, 2023
Nine years after Prime Minister Modi first proposed from the platform of the United Nations General Assembly to celebrate the International Day of Yoga as an annual observance, the Indian leader will be for the first time at the United Nations Headquarters to lead a yoga session in a historic observance of the day. .
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kambuj, told PTI in an interview that this year’s celebration of yoga will be a very “unique occasion” because it was Prime Minister Modi who gave this vision and it was his leadership that ensured that June 21st every year is celebrated. year as International Yoga Day.
“Nearly nine years later, the author of this vision came to the United Nations,” she said, adding that Yoga Day is now a UN-mandated event. “So I think the affinity between the two leaders – the visionary leader and the United Nations, is in itself quite unique,” Kamboj said.
She said the yoga event generates a lot of anticipation and excitement and is very shared. “The international element is very high. There is a lot of interest, which in itself, I would say, is kind of characteristic of yoga, this ancient Indian practice, the fact that it has transcended all boundaries and become a global phenomenon.”
Kamboj added, “The fact that there are children doing yoga on stage is very unique. So I think it will be a unique event.”
In his message for Yoga Day, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, said yoga is uniting. “It unites body, mind, humanity, nature and millions of people around the world for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace,” he said.
“In a world fraught with danger and division, the benefits of this ancient practice are especially precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, where it can reduce anxiety and boost mental health. It helps us develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which desperately needs our protection,” said Guterres.
He added that yoga reveals “our common humanity, and helps us understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and determination to build a better and more harmonious world for people, the planet and ourselves.”
The yoga session will run from 8 to 9 a.m. on June 21 in the vast North Lawn of the UN headquarters, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, a gift from India to the United Nations, was installed in December last year during the country’s presidency of the council. UN Security Council.
Prime Minister Modi will pay his respects to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi which now “proudly adorns” the North Lawn of the UN headquarters where yoga will also be practiced. “There is also a memorial to the fallen peacekeeper, which, I think, is very poignant and very important given that India is the largest troop and police contributor,” Kamboj said.
The historic yoga session is expected to be attended by senior UN officials, ambassadors, envoys and delegates from member states as well as prominent members of the global community and diaspora.
The counselor for the event encourages guests and attendees to wear appropriate yoga clothing for the private session, and added that yoga mats will be provided during the session. “You’re welcome to take home as a souvenir,” she said.
Sources said that people from more than 180 countries will take part in the Yoga Day celebrations led by Prime Minister Modi, representing various walks of life and featuring diplomats, artists, academics and businessmen among others.
UN officials, agencies and member states said they were “looking forward” to participating in the historic event.
“I look forward to participating in the celebrations for the 9th UN International Day of Yoga with Prime Minister NarendraModi at the UN Headquarters on the North Lawn next week,” UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman in the global organization, said in a statement. tweet.
The French mission to the United Nations said in a tweet that it was “looking forward to doing yoga with Prime Minister @narendramodi at the UN Headquarters on the North Lawn”.
President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Chapa Kurosi, said in a tweet that he was “looking forward to participating in the celebrations of the 9th International Day of Yoga” with Prime Minister Modi.
Responding to Kurosi’s tweet, Modi said, “I look forward to seeing you at the International Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters. Your participation makes the program even more special. Yoga brings the world together towards promoting health and wellness. May it grow more popular globally.”
In a separate tweet, Modi said, “Yoga has profound benefits for both body and mind, promoting strength, flexibility and calmness. Let’s make yoga a part of our life and more wellness and peace. Sharing a collection of videos depicting various asanas.”
The Strategy, Policy and Compliance Department of the UN Department in a tweet called on people to join the Yoga Day festivities and described the initiative of the Permanent Mission of India to the UN as “brilliant”.
The first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in 2015, and since then it has been celebrated with many sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the United Nations, Times Square and famous locations around the world.
The United Nations has confirmed that yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word “yoga” is derived from Sanskrit and means joining or union, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and its popularity continues to grow.
In recognition of its global appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations declared June 21 as International Yoga Day. India proposed a draft resolution of the UN General Assembly on the International Day of Yoga and was endorsed by 175 member states.
The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
(This story was not edited by the News18 staff and was published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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