It is a symbol of the culture, heritage of our country.
Claiming that Pakistan should also take up the practice of yoga as it will “bring peace”, Prasad said: “Yoga is being practiced in New York, London, China and in Islamic countries. Yoga is for moral values and for the well being of the mankind regardless of its community, faith or nationality”, he added.
He observed that yoga would have helped in “bringing peace” in Pakistan.
He also urged Pakistan to reconsider its stand of not observing the day, noting that “nearly 44 Islamic countries” were doing it. “World feels indebted to our PM”, Vardhan, the Science & Technology, Earth Sciences Minister, tweeted.
But the government’s push for “yoga for harmony and peace” met with criticism in the run-up to Sunday, with some religious minorities accusing Modi of pushing a pro-Hindu agenda in officially secular India. “Yoga not only keeps one physically fit, but ensures rejuvenated mind and soul and make us more matured”, Vardhan told reporters.
Members of local recreation clubs, residents of housing societies and morning walkers had an energetic start to the day with their own yoga sessions.
Union Minister of State for Urban Development Babul Supriyo too participated in the celebrations at a Yoga Camp in Burnpur in Burdwan district.
“Solstice in Times Square originated thirteen years ago when I was joined by two other yogis to do sunrise yoga on the longest day of the year, and it is phenomenal to now see this event grow to become an internationally recognized worldwide celebration”, said Tim Tompkins, the president of the Times Square Alliance. Prasad also took part in the exercises and ‘pranayams’. I assure you yoga doesn’t contradict science - it is science.
A massive Yoga Day celebrations is being organised at Netaji Indoor Stadium which will be kicked off in the afternoon.
He recalled being one among an elite group of participants at World Health Organisation (WHO)’s Kobe meeting of policy makers in 2000. For him, Yoga is just an exercise to maintain physical fitness.
Yoga mats were rolled out across various educational establishments with the young and the old, suitably attired in tracksuits, joining in with pride.
