While kicking off the global event he said that “Today, Yoga has become a part of so many lives. Yoga’s popularity outside India is high & has connected the world with India.”
He said, “From Lucknow, I convey my greetings to all those joining the Yoga Day celebrations all over India”
PM Modi thanked Lucknow for their indomitable spirit to have braved heavy rainfall and turned out for the celebrations in such a large number.
“I am glad to see several yoga institutes take shape over the last three years. Demand for yoga teachers is increasing and Yoga is creating new avenues for business”, he mentioned.
“In addition to fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness”, the PM said highlighting the importance of Yoga. “I urge everyone to make yoga a part of their lives.”
“Yoga is about health assurance, It is not even expensive to practice. Make yoga as necessary in your life as salt is for food,” he said.
The PM also said “Physical fitness is important but not as important as wellness, which can be achieved with Yoga”
He called for standardization of yoga and pointed out how the young were captivated by yoga, an age-old tradition propounded by saints and seers.
Yoga was a great medium to bring cohesion in the society, Modi said, adding no one in the world was questioning the benefits of yoga.
“I request people to make yoga a part of their life. We may not master yoga or become teachers but we should not stop from doing yoga,” he said. “Yoga not only enlightens the body but also the soul.”
Owing to heavy rains and water logging at the venue, Modi jokingly told the large gathering — where people used the yoga mats to shield themselves — that he had now learnt the benefits of the yoga mat as well.
Almost 50,000 people are expected to take part in the mega yoga celebration in the Ramabai Ambedkar park in Lucknow.
Source: Economic Times