International Yoga Day 2023 updates | PM Modi says Yoga is free from patents and royalty payments

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Yoga celebration at the UN headquarters created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people of most nationalities.

The historic yoga session was attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, delegates from Member States as well as prominent members of the global and diaspora community.

“I am excited for everyone who is participating in Yoga Day,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the UN.

President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi, Hollywood actor Richard Gere, Mayor of New York City Eric Adams and Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed were among prominent personalities who attended the event.

“The feeling here is so open and embracing, I hope this feeling intoxicates the entire building. It’s a really nice feeling here today,” Gere said ahead of the event.

People from more than 180 countries participated in Prime Minister Modi-led Yoga Day celebrations here, representing different walks of life and comprising diplomats, artists, academicians and entrepreneurs among others, sources said.

“You can see the vibrations and excitement. Hundreds of people are lining up for International Yoga (Day celebrations) with Prime Minister Modi. Such a great feeling,” said Dilip Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner for New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs.

Ruchika Lal, Yoga and Meditation Instructor, Art of Living, said people are excited. “They have been waiting outside since 6 a.m.,” she said.

People were seen standing in queues outside UN headquarters to take part in the yoga session since early morning.

The first International Day of Yoga was commemorated in 2015 and has since then been marked with several sessions and events highlighting the benefits and universal appeal of Yoga at the UN, Times Square and iconic locations across the world.

The UN underlined that Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday described Yoga as “truly universal” and free from copyrights and patents.

The prime minister, wearing a customised white yoga T-shirt and trousers, began his address with a ‘Namaste’ and thanked people for coming here from far away to attend the celebration.

“I’m delighted to see you all. And I thank you all for coming. Friends. I’m told that almost every nationality is represented here today,” Mr. Modi said.

“Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Yoga is free from copyrights, patents and royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal,” Mr. Modi told the gathering.

Hundreds of yellow yoga mats were placed on the ground where yoga enthusiasts and practitioners, wearing customised white yoga T-shirts, joined the event.

LED screens playing videos of Indian culture and heritage were set up on the lawn.

“Yoga means to unite...I remember about nine years ago, right here, I had the honour to propose celebrating the International Day of yoga on 21st June. It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea,” Mr. Modi said.

Paying tribute at a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Modi joins a crowd of diplomats and dignitaries for a morning yoga session at the United Nations, kicking off the public portion of his U.S. visit by calmly flexing India’s cultural reach.

PM Narendra Modi leads a yoga session at UN Headquarters. Mr. Modi thanks people for coming in large numbers to attend the event.

“About nine years ago, right here at the UN, I had honour to propose celebrating International Day of Yoga on 21st June. I am told that almost every nationality is represented here today,” he says.

“Yoga comes from India. Like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic. Yoga is free from copyright, from patents and from royalty payments. Yoga is adaptable to your age, gender and fitness level. Yoga is portable and is truly universal,” he adds.

Mr. Modi says, “Delighted to take part in the Yoga Day programme.” He remembered how he proposed the International Day of Yoga nine years ago at the UN headquarters on the same date.

Watch the video here:

About 1,000 Yoga enthusiasts on Wednesday held a massive event in Nepal’s Pokhara in a bid to promote the traditional Indian fitness routine, as the world marked International Yoga Day.

The event, which featured Nepal’s Tourism Minister Sudan Kirati and Indian Ambassador Naveen Srivastava, also focussed on promoting tourism with an eye on the Indian market.

The Chief Minister of Nepal’s Gandaki province, Surendra Raj Pandey, too, graced the event at the Pokhara Rangashala ground which drew a sizeable count of Yoga enthusiasts.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw compared Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s feat in showcasing India’s culture worldwide to that of Swami Vivekananda.

“The way Prime Minister Narendra Modi has showcased India’s culture worldwide is comparable to that of Swami Vivekananda,” he said.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday attended a Yoga Day function with government officials and school children at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium in Bambolim.

Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday performed Yoga in the national capital to mark the 9th International Yoga Day. He performed Yoga with others at an open ground.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said yoga is a gift from India for the welfare of humanity.

Addressing an event at the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Sabhagar here on International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister said when the world was in the grip of the Covid pandemic, India’s Ayush system of medicine was in high demand across the world.

Yoga is a gift from India for the welfare of humanity. Yoga asanas not only provide stability, but also physical strength, Mr. Adityanath said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been the brainchild behind several initiatives aimed at bringing a fractious world together but it is the International Yoga Day, being observed on Wednesday, that has left an indelible mark globally with its universal acceptance.

This annual event has seen an impressive number of nations coming together to support and participate in yoga activities with the ancient Indian practice emerging as an important public health movement throughout the world.

The International Yoga Day has witnessed active participation from numerous countries, demonstrating the global recognition of yoga as a transformative practice for physical and mental well-being, officials said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said yoga has become India’s “soft power” as he marked the International Day of Yoga by leading a session with hundreds of participants at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Addressing the event, Mr. Mandaviya said, “Yoga is an ancient tradition of India but, with time, its practice started to decline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a huge impetus to yoga and, today, there is no place in the world where yoga is not practised. It has become India’s soft power.”

Highlighting the benefits of yoga in everyday life, he said, “Yoga helps calm the mind and energise the body. Whenever we talk about health and wellness, yoga comes to our mind. It is a kind of preventive care as it builds immunity in the body.”

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and other Supreme Court judges on Wednesday performed yoga asanas to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga at the apex court premises.

Besides the CJI and other judges, officers and staff members participated in the event at the Yoga and Recreation Hall at the newly-constructed additional building complex of the top court.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and other Supreme Court judges on Wednesday performed yoga asanas to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga at the apex court premises.

Besides the CJI and other judges, officers and staff members participated in the event at the Yoga and Recreation Hall at the newly-constructed additional building complex of the top court.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) celebrated the 9th International Yoga Day at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Union Minister for Civil Aviation and Steel, graced the occasion and appealed to the masses to integrate Yoga into their daily routine.

The Minister also performed various Yoga Asanas along with the officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India under the guidance of yoga instructors.

Over 150 people from the Indian community participated in the 9th International Yoga Day organised by the India High Commission.

The hour-long event led by the High Commissioner P Kumaran at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India also saw the launch of a book on health, happiness and harmony.

“High Commissioner P Kumaran led Singapore Indian community leaders in celebrating international yoga day at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple on Wednesday and launched a special book on health, happiness and harmony,” the High Commission said.

Yoga is an art of science for healthy living which focuses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer said marking the International Yoga Day.

The Governor participated in the Yoga Day celebration held at Raj Bhavan and noted that yoga reduces stress.

“Yoga focusses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, keeps the body fit and helps in reducing stress,” Mr. Nazeer said in a press release issued by Raj Bhavan.

Union Minister Amit Shah greeted people on the occasion of International Yoga Day, and said Yoga is an invaluable heritage given by India to the world. He also mentioned yoga as a medium to concentrate the body, mind and soul, and said practicing yoga makes both mind and body healthy.

“Best wishes to everyone on ‘International Yoga Day’. Yoga is the medium to concentrate the body, mind and soul, which not only makes the body healthy but also the brain,” Amit Shah tweeted in Hindi.

“This is an invaluable heritage given by India to the world, which Narendra Modi ji has worked to take to the whole world. With the efforts of Modi ji, today ‘Yoga’ has become a lifestyle of people all over the world,” Mr. Shah further said in his tweet.

As many as 3,000 persons with disabilities practised yoga together here in an attempt to secure the world record at an event organised to celebrate International Yoga Day in which Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Virendra Kumar took part.

While enthusiasts across the world celebrated International Day of Yoga on Wednesday, at the Prany Camp in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur a canine member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) seemed to demonstrate just how the ‘downward dog’ should be done right!

Positioning himself in front of personnel of the paramilitary force participating in a Yoga Day event here, the dog seemed to be at ease at joining in the poses. A video of the event captured the canine member of the ITBP squad wagging his tail, rolling on the ground and apparently attempting to be “one with the crowd” in performing various asanas. Occasionally it barked perhaps to voice its approval!

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters symbolises India’s growing strength and increasing relevance on the world stage.

“Our beloved PM will be leading the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations Headquarters. This symbolises India’s growing strength, increasing relevance on the world stage,” Piyush Goyal said on the occasion of the ninth International Yoga Day.

Reiterating Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s statement he said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the most loved leader of the world. This is an occasion for every Indian to celebrate and look forward to a glorious future.”

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Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to lead a yoga session in a historic celebration to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga at the U.N. Headquarters.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event held at Noida Indoor Stadium where she performed yoga this morning, the Minister said, “This is a moment of pride for all Indians on the occasion of International Yoga Day as our ‘ pradhan sevak’ [prime servant] Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading India’s heritage and development through the practice of Yoga at U.N. Headquarters today.”

ANI

The UNWTO supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote tourism in India, a country rich in culture with a “huge potential” to attract more investment in the sector, a top official of the global organisation said in Goa.

World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili spoke to PTI on the eve of the G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the International Day of Yoga and expressed his delight over the coincidence.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations with a mandate to promote responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

Yoga has become an integral part of the Indian hockey teams’ daily routine and the ancient practice has been beneficial for the players in managing stress and keeping their mind and body fit, said men’s side vice-captain Hardik Singh.

Over the past few years, the Indian men and women hockey players have made yoga a part of their practice regime.

“At first when we were introduced to yoga, we felt like it was too slow and it was not easy to get all the asanas right. Many of us preferred pumping weights in the gym to practising an hour of yoga. But eventually, we have come to realise that practising yoga has helped tremendously in the power of mindfulness,” Hardik said.

PTI

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw performed Yoga in Odisha’s Balasore to mark the 9th International Yoga Day. Mr.Vaishnaw had yesterday held a meeting with the District Magistrate, Superintendent of Police and State Government officials in Balasore, where nearly 300 people were killed in an accident involving three trains earlier this month.

Mr. Vaishnaw who arrived in Balasore on Monday for a three-day tour of the State on Tuesday interacted with local individuals who generously provided assistance. The Minister announced ₹1 crore from his MP local area development (LAD) fund and another ₹1 crore from Railways funds for the development of Bahanaga village and the hospital there.

PTI

Students were at the forefront of the yoga day celebrations in Himachal Pradesh, which witnessed several events being organised to marks the occasion.

People assembled at public places with their mats from early morning to perform yoga and mark the occasion.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur, who took part in an International Day of Yoga event in Hamirpur, said the day is being celebrated all over the world due to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PTI

Yoga has become a symbol of love and hope around the globe, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its worldwide popularity.

Interacting with reporters on the sidelines of an event on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Mr. Singh said, “The theme of Yoga Day this year is ‘One Family, One Earth, One Future’.”

“Despite our diverse cultures, languages, foods and attire, yoga has brought the world together and emerged as a symbol of peace and love. It is a significant contribution of Prime Minister Modi,” he said.

PTI

The ninth International Yoga Day was celebrated with great fanfare in many parts of Karnataka on June 21. Thousands of people took part in the event aimed at promoting good health with sound mind. The theme of Yoga Day this year is ‘Yoga – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

The main event took place on the grand steps of the imposing Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru where Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Karnataka Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader and Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao took part.

Swami Vachanananda, who is famed as ‘Shwasa Guru’, guided the gathering to perform yoga. A large number of government employees, students and social activists took part in the morning programme.

PTI

Yoga is an art of science for healthy living that focusses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer said marking the ninth International Yoga Day.

The Governor participated in the celebrations held at Raj Bhavan and noted that yoga reduces stress.

“Yoga focusses on bringing harmony between the mind and body, keeps the body fit and helps in reducing stress,” said Nazeer in a press release issued by Raj Bhavan.

PTI

Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra led the celebrations at the Raj Bhavan in Jaipur to mark the International Day of Yoga. Mr. Mishra, who was joined by Raj Bhavan officers and other staff members, performed ‘asanas’ such as ‘bhastrika’, ‘kapalbhati’, ‘nulom vilom’ and ‘bhramari’, a spokesperson said.

Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore performed yoga with locals in Churu. In Jaipur, former BJP State unit chief Satish Poonia marked the day with Central Reserve Police Force personnel at Jaigarh.

PTI

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said transforming the practice of yoga into a people’s movement was the need of the hour to tackle stress and lifestyle changes.

Mr. Shinde was speaking after participating in the International Yoga Day events at the Gateway Of India, the State Secretariat and the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

He said it was a matter of pride that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was representing the country at the United Nations to mark the International Yoga Day.

PTI

Delhi celebrated the International Day of Yoga with events across the national capital that witnessed the participation of political leaders and officials.

Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Mansukh Mandviya and Piyush Gotal and Delhi Lt. Governor V.K. Saxena took part in yoga day events in the city.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said yoga has become India’s “soft power” as he marked the International Day of Yoga by leading a session with hundreds of participants at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by a resolution. The day aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga.

Addressing the event, Mr. Mandaviya said, “Yoga is an ancient tradition of India but, with time, its practice started to decline. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a huge impetus to yoga and, today, there is no place in the world where yoga is not practised. It has become India’s soft power.”

PTI

On the occasion of International Day of Yoga, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar asked people to make yoga an integral part of their lives by devoting at least half an hour every day to it.

“We can inspire others to do yoga only when we do it ourselves,” said Mr. Khattar while addressing a gathering in Panipat on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

He along with people performed various yoga poses at the event.

PTI

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) said yoga is “Bharat’s civilisational contribution” to the world. Yoga is not limited to physical exercise but is essentially a holistic way of life, the RSS said in a tweet on the occasion of the International Yoga Day.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari greeted people on the occasion of the International Yoga Day and said yoga has got recognition across the world. Mr. Gadkari was addressing a gathering at a Yoga Day programme in his hometown Nagpur in Maharashtra.

PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said it was a matter of pride for India that yoga was being celebrated globally as it shows the world is acknowledging the country’s rich culture and also adopting it.

Mr. Singh was speaking to the media after joining hundreds of Navy personnel on board INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier in Kochi, to participate in the yoga celebrations on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

PTI

Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said the Yoga Day event in Surat has set a “new Guinness World Record” for the largest gathering of people for a yoga session at one place.

More than one lakh people took part in the event and broke the previous record, Mr. Sanghavi said.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel joined the State-level ‘International Day of Yoga’ celebration in Dumas area of Surat.

PTI

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar called upon the countrymen and people across the globe to adopt yoga for unity in the world.

The national celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga 2023 was led by Mr. Dhankhar in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur city.

The Vice President and other dignitaries took part in collective yoga programme on the theme ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam Ke Liye Yoga’ held at the Garrison Ground in Jabalpur.

PTI

G20 delegates from several countries performed yoga ‘asanas’ on the premises of the Raj Bhavan in Goa to mark the International Day of Yoga.

Goa Governor PS Shreedharan Pillai, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy and Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt joined the delegates in performing the ‘asanas’, hours before the scheduled G20 Tourism Ministerial Meeting.

Wearing matching t-shirts bearing the G20 logo, ‘GOA’ and ‘Yoga for Harmony & Peace’, delegates from Australia, Germany, Italy and South Korea, as well as several Tourism Ministry officials, performed some of the common yoga protocols under the guidance of an instructor.

PTI

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Besides spreading awareness about the benefits of yoga and meditation worldwide, this Yoga Day, India will also be promoting the skill of its tribal artisans. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) is collaborating with Ministry of Ayush to supply 34,000 yoga mats procured exclusively from tribal artisans across the country. These will bear the distinct designs and motifs representative of their respective communities.

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