International Yoga Day 2023: ‘Yoga is a way of life’, says PM Modi in New York

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Csaba Korosi, along with India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj and Mayor of New York City Eric Adams, greeted and addressed an event on the 9th edition of International Day of Yoga, welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrived to lead a special Yoga session at the UN headquarters.

Kamboj said, "Today's celebration is, indeed, very special as PM Modi will lead us in doing yoga here. It is under his leadership that June 21 was declared #InternationalYogaDay. It is only fitting that the inspiration behind the idea is with us today in the scenic multicultural setting of the UN."

UNGA President Korosi weighed in on the importance of Yoga, saying, "Yoga changes our physical performance but it can spark in us different mental and intellectual performance. I have been an admirer of Yoga. Our world needs balance and self-control. Yoga is one of the means of achieving this."

New York Mayor Eric Adams also expressed his pride at being a part of the event, saying, "This International Yoga Day is a call for us to stand up for humankind across the globe and all living being. I am proud to be here and I am proud to represent this city symbolically. International Yoga Day is an international call that we will be a leader here in New York City as you are a leader in your own environments..." (PTI)

"Yoga changes our physical performance but it can spark in us different mental and intellectual performance. I have been an admirer of Yoga. Our world needs balance and self-control. Yoga is one of the means of achieving this," said UNGA President Csaba Kőrösi

The Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters in New York will see participation from President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Korosi, actor Richard Gere and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Also participating in the event will be digital evangelist Vala Afshar, award-winning storyteller Jay Shetty, Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna and Grammy award winner Ricky Kej. (ANI)

To mark the International Yoga Day on Wednesday, the Indian Army formed a 'Bharatmala' by conducting Yoga all along the border areas of the nation from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. 

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha Wednesday described yoga as India's greatest gift to humanity which has transcended the boundaries of religion and geographical barriers to bring happiness in people's lives.

Sinha led the International Yoga Day celebrations in the union territory by performing yoga 'asanas' at an event at Botanical Garden here.

Conveying his best wishes to the people of J-K on the occasion, the lieutenant governor said yoga has helped people across the world to remain fit.

On the occasion of the 9th International Yoga Day, President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday said that yoga is India's gift to the world. She also performed yoga at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here.

"Yoga is one of our civilization's great accomplishments and India's great gift to the rest of the world. Yoga brings together the body and the mind and it is a holistic approach to life. Yoga helps us all to be in a better position to meet the increasing challenges around us," President Murmu said.

Urging everyone to perform yoga, she said, "On this day, I urge everyone to adopt yoga in their daily lives and experience its transformative power."

Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik (Retd) on Wednesday appealed to the people of the state to practice yoga regularly for a healthier lifestyle, PTI reported.

Participating in the International Yoga Day at Raj Bhavan here, he said yoga helps in improving physical strength and confidence and also has a positive and calming effect on the practitioners.

"Yoga has remedies for every illness. Yoga brings peace of mind, inculcates self-discipline and ensures physical and mental wellness," the governor said.

Passengers travelling from Bhopal to Delhi on Vande Bharat Express on Wednesday performed Yoga on the train on the occasion of 9th International Yoga Day.

Yoga guru Krishna Kant Mishra guided the passengers to do yoga in sitting postures in every coach of the train on the occasion.

Mishra said, "I want to give the message of International Yoga Day by performing some yoga asana in sitting posture with the passengers of Vande Bharat. The initiative of Yoga Day was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 and the first International Yoga Day was celebrated in 2015. Since then it has been celebrated continuously every year."

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday asked Indians and people from across the globe to adopt yoga, saying it is a symbol of world's unity.

Yoga has become a universal festival because of India's efforts, he said, adding that yoga is not just for any individual but for the entire humanity.

The national celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 was led by Dhankhar in Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur city. The vice president and other dignitaries took part in a collective yoga programme on the theme 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam Ke Liye Yoga' held at the Garrison Ground here.

The 9th International Yoga Day celebrations were held at Indian Embassy in Kuwait on 21 June. The event was well-attended by yoga trainers and enthusiasts, members of diplomatic corps, friends from Kuwait and members of Indian community: Indian Embassy in Kuwait