New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi, in a short span of time, has created his place among the world's most celebrated leaders. His energy towards life, enthusiasm, and exceptional speaking skills at the age of 65 is something that intrigued the international media. Also, his minimal sleeping habits and immense emphasis on yoga is something that amazes people around the globe
PM Modi, who left for Russia early today to attend the 16th Annual Summit, was today interviewed by a Russian news agency TAAS. He was asked how he looks younger at 65 years of age and why Yoga is gaining popularity around the world.
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To which Modi gave a full fledged answer, talking about Yoga's global acceptance and how it is benefiting him personally. Take a look.
Question: Mr. Prime Minister, as far as I know, in September you turned 65 but you look much younger. Is this due to Yoga, which is getting more popular? And what advice would you like to give those Russians who practice Yoga? What should they do for its promotion in Russia? And I've also heard that President Putin has taken interest in Yoga, after you told him about it.
PM Modi: You have asked a very good question. First of all, through you, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the countries of the world, the United Nations and all the citizens of the world, that when I made a proposal for International Yoga Day in the UN, within 100 days almost all countries of the world endorsed it and in nearly 192 countries the International Yoga Day was celebrated and is a pleasure to me that in Russia at more than 200 locations, the International Yoga Day was celebrated and they say that more than 45,000 people publicly participated in it.
This in itself is very important. It is true that Yoga originated in India, so I could say it belongs only to India, but it does not, it is the world's wealth, the wealth of the human race, the world's heritage.
And every society in the world promoted or pursued it in its own way and therefore the present form of Yoga has changed a lot, it is very widespread and everybody has contributed in it. So I too, am grateful to all of you. After all, why is Yoga becoming popular? Why is the importance of Yoga growing? Yoga's importance is growing because, you see, our biggest mistake was that when we discussed health, we addressed illness, we considered health as addressing illness. It is important that we address wellness. So, illness or wellness? Yoga takes us towards wellness. Today the world is going for Holistic health care and Yoga is the perfect science for it.
Thirdly, the human life is fractured too. A human's mind thinks something and his body does something else; the intellect contradicts it. The body, mind and intellect, they are in a fractured state; and we do not even know it. The mind, intellect and body, all three must work in synchronism. It can be achieved through Yoga. Yoga gives you inner strength. Yoga is not a physical exercise.
Some people think that yoga is bending the body. Those working in the circus are very good at body bending and Russia is a global leader in circus. But that does not mean Yoga. Yoga is a subject associated with mind, intellect and soul and knowing this form of Yoga is very beneficial. I have also heard that these days President Putin is showing his interest towards Yoga and wherever I go in the world I discuss a lot on Yoga with the World leaders. You are right, I have been myself a Yoga practitioner and if I try to find some time out for myself, that is for Yoga and I am benefited.
