Embrace yoga as way of life: Narendra Modi

In a mega event on the occasion of World Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked people to embrace yoga as a way of life, saying that it is not a religious practice, but a science for a better mental and physical health.

Joining over 30,000 yoga enthusiasts at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, Mr Modi, dressed in a white T-shirt, pyjamas and a scarf, performed breathing and stretching exercises for about 45 minutes.

The participants included students, defence personnel and schoolchildren. People from all backgrounds — 10,000 each from Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana — performed yoga asanas on pink and blue mats. About 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh.

The Capitol Complex witnessed unprecedented security arrangements as the area was sealed by the security agencies. Yoga enthusiasts started reaching the venue as early as 4 am, even as there was fear of rain during the event.

The Prime Minister, while stressing on the benefits of yoga for physical well-being, announced two yoga awards for contribution to the field of yoga internationally and nationally, to be given on International Yoga Day every year.

Describing yoga as the easiest way of preventive healthcare, the Prime Minister said that yoga provides health insurance at zero premium to all who practise it.

The PM also called for a mass public campaign to suggest yoga measures for diabetes. Stressing on the need of treatment of diabetes through yoga, Mr Modi said, “Diabetes and yoga is my subject. I want to request trainers from this public platform. From next year when we celebrate Yoga Day, in this one year, you continue to do what you do for yoga but focus on one subject and this is my subject — diabetes and yoga.”