Varanasi: Yoga Week commenced at Namo Ghat in Varanasi on Monday as part of the build-up to International Yoga Day, which will be observed globally on June 21. The programme is also linked to the public outreach activities marking 12 years of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre.
Several ministers from Uttar Pradesh took part in the early morning event, where yoga demonstrations and awareness programmes were organised to encourage people to adopt healthier lifestyles.
Ministers Highlight Yoga’s Global Reach
Speaking during the event, Uttar Pradesh Minister Daya Shankar Mishra said yoga has now gained worldwide recognition and participation. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for helping take yoga to an international platform.
He noted that this year marks the 12th edition of International Yoga Day and said the week-long celebrations will conclude with the main event on June 21. Mishra added that more than 177 countries are now observing and practising yoga. While speaking to ANI, he also extended greetings and congratulations to the Prime Minister and the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for their contribution to promoting yoga globally.
Call for Healthy Daily Routine
State Minister Hanshraj Vishwakarma also addressed participants during the programme and encouraged people to include yoga in their daily lives. He conveyed his wishes on the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day and said maintaining a disciplined and healthy routine is important for success in life.
He further offered prayers to Maa Ganga and expressed hope that more people would be inspired to practise yoga regularly.
International Yoga Day’s Global Journey
The United Nations had declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea during his address at the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, 2014.
Since the first International Yoga Day was celebrated in 2015, India has continued to lead global observances through the Ministry of AYUSH, with support from state governments, Indian missions abroad and United Nations agencies. The initiative has played a key role in promoting a preventive and holistic approach towards health and wellness across the world.
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