Yoga a symbol of unity, goes beyond race, colour, nations: PM Modi

Yoga has emerged as a force for unity and it does not discriminate as it goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday (June 21).

In his message on the sixth International Day of Yoga, he said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world is feeling the need for Yoga more than ever. “If our immunity is strong, it is of great help in defeating this disease. For boosting immunity, there are several techniques in Yoga, various asanas are there,” he said.

COVID-19 specifically attacks our respiratory system which gets strengthened on doing Pranayama or breathing exercise, Modi said.

“Yoga enhances our quest for a healthier planet. It has emerged as a force for unity and deepens the bonds of humanity. It does not discriminate. It goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations. Anybody can embrace Yoga,” the prime minister said.

“If we can fine-tune our chords of health and hope, the day is not far away when the world will witness the success of a healthy and happy humanity. Yoga can definitely help us make this happen,” he said in his message telecast this morning.

“Doing work and performing duties properly is also Yoga,” he said.

With the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic looming large, International Day of Yoga is, for the first time, being marked on digital media platforms sans mass gatherings.

This year’s theme is “Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”.

Across the nation and the globe, political leaders and people could be seen doing Yoga to mark the International Yoga Day.

Ladakh: ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel perform yoga at Khardung La, at an altitude of 18000 feet, on #InternationalYogaDay today. pic.twitter.com/EiJQdWV711

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020

Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind performs yoga today on #InternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/5UoM61pexI

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020

Jammu & Kashmir: CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) perform yoga in Jammu, on #InternationalYogaDay today. pic.twitter.com/WMGllvN4TH

— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2020

On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly had declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi had proposed the idea.

(With inputs from agencies)