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Just Like Cell Phone, Make Yoga A Part Of Your Daily Life, Says PM At Yoga Day Celebration

Just Like Cell Phone, Make Yoga A Part Of Your Daily Life, Says PM At Yoga Day Celebration

Calling on the world to embrace Yoga as a discipline in everyday life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the International Yoga Day today, asserted that the ancient Indian art was the most selfless of its kind, as it did not discriminate, did not ask for much, but simply functioned for the betterment of mankind and brought every society together.

Speaking on the occasion in Chandigarh with a mass gathering of almost 10,000 people, the Prime Minister said he had proposed 21 June as the ideal day for Yoga Day celebrations because in many parts of the world, this day is quite long and is closer to the earth.

Stating that Yoga Day has garnered massive support from across the world, Prime Minister Modi said that there is no other event which matches the global popularity of this day.

(People practise yoga at a tourist spot ahead of the International Day of Yoga, on the outskirts of Beijing, China, June 20, 2016. China Daily/via REUTERS)

"The United Nations observes several occasions but no other movement has become a global movement like Yoga Day. No other event is able to match the popularity of Yoga Day. This proves the power of the legacy by our ancestors," he said.

Further asserting that some people do not understand the science behind Yoga, the Prime Minister said that the disciple was not a religious practice and was the path to salvation, adding that it provides health insurance for zero budget.

Yoga is for the believer and non believer as well. It does not differentiate between the rich and poor or the literate and illiterate.

"Yoga is for the believer and non believer as well. It does not differentiate between the rich and poor or the literate and illiterate. Just like the cell phone has become a part of your daily life, I call on the world to embrace Yoga," he said.

The Prime Minister also said that it needs to be ensured that while Yoga spreads across the globe as a popular practice, its sanctity is maintained, adding that it must not be dragged into any controversies either.

Talking about Yoga as a roaring business success, he said that the form was gaining popularity as a major business and profession as well and that the demand for Yoga trainers across the globe was growing every day.

"Let's focus on one thing in the coming days and that is how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. Diabetes can surely be controlled through Yoga. Let us make Yoga more popular world over. Let India produce good Yoga teachers," the Prime Minister said.

He also thanked the United Nations for extending their support to ensure the success of this day across the globe.

Meanwhile, the United Nations headquarters in New York lit up to mark the occasion of International Yoga Day.

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11 in 2014 after a call from the Prime Minister Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27.

Union Ministers @rajnathsingh, @MVenkaiahNaidu, Bandaru Dattatreya and @smritiirani doing Yoga. #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/1myD1FuMi4

β€” NDTV (@ndtv) June 21, 2016

PM Narendra Modi meets people at Yoga camp in Chandigarh #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/0AjJS1Px4Z

β€” ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

Participants at the 2nd #InternationalYogaDay at Capitol Complex, Chandigarh #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/eH8dXosqeO

β€” TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) June 21, 2016

BCCI Chief Anurag Thakur and Harbhajan Singh do Yoga in Dharamsala #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/Euz8pKndFa

β€” ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

HM Rajnath Singh and Shia cleric Maulana Yasoob Abbas do Yoga in Lucknow on #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/f8S6wCpjSN

β€” ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) June 21, 2016

PM Narendra Modi doing Yoga in Chandigarh #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/u3WXfBS5EZ

β€” ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu,Delhi Lt.Governor Najeeb Jung and BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi do Yoga in Delhi #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/MBChwzNsBy

β€” ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

I really feel some people don't fully understand the power and benefits of Yoga: PM Modi #YogaDaypic.twitter.com/CqeJK1qKhg

β€” ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.