National Desk, 21st June: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations today at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Held on the scenic banks of Dal Lake, this event marked Modi’s first visit to the region since beginning his third consecutive term in office.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “Yoga for Self and Society,” highlights yoga’s dual role in improving personal well-being and promoting community health.
Since the inception of International Yoga Day in 2014, following Modi’s proposal to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Prime Minister has celebrated the day at various iconic locations, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The SKICC event particularly aimed to encourage grassroots participation and highlight the benefits of yoga in rural areas.
International Yoga Day, observed annually on June 21, was established by the United Nations in December 2014. Recognizing yoga as an ancient practice that originated in India, the UN acknowledges its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, with the word ‘yoga’ meaning ‘to join’ or ‘unite’ in Sanskrit.
Nationwide and Global Celebrations
Across India, leaders and officials participated in various Yoga Day events:
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah joined a yoga session in Ahmedabad.
- Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led the state-level function at Lal Parade Ground.
- Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat participated at the historic Purana Quila site in Delhi, while another event took place at Sun Dial Lawns, Qutab Minar.
- Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and other Supreme Court judges also took part in the celebrations.
Global Observance
Internationally, significant events marked the day:
- In Israel, over 300 participants performed yoga at the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation in Tel Aviv.
- In the United States, hundreds gathered for yoga sessions, with India’s Deputy Ambassador to the US, Sripriya Ranganathan, addressing the participants.
These widespread celebrations underscore yoga’s growing global influence and its acknowledged benefits for holistic health and community cohesion.
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