New Delhi: India will lead the world to mark International Yoga Day on June 21, highlighted by a mega event here in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present.
It was not clear whether the Prime Minister will himself be performing yoga during the programme, with Union Minister Shripad Naik of AYUSH, the coordinating ministry for the event, saying, "I think he will perform that day." He was asked whether Modi will be participating himself in doing yoga.
The UN General Assembly had in December last year adopted an India-led resolution, supported by over 175 UN member-states, declaring June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga', recognising that "Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being".
"I have invited Prime Minister Modi and he will be there," Naik said noting that the main programme, which will take place on Rajpath, was expected to be attended by around 40,000-50,000 people who will perform yoga.
Naik said the timing of the programme is from 7 am to 7.35 pm and people across the country will do the same 'asanas' simultaneously and arrangements have been made accordingly.
"The training for this has been going on for the last one month," he said.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that the day will be observed in over 250 cities in 190 countries across the world.
"Our missions and diplomatic posts have made arrangements for the celebrations and other related events," Swarup said.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, along with Naik, will be launching a special portal for the 'International Yoga Day' on June 9.
Naik said that support from all over has been multiplying with each passing day.
“This is one of the most important things that we are giving to the world. It is not only swasth India but Swasth World,” Naik said.
Prominent TV actors would also be pitching in to the government's efforts to popularise Yoga as the broadcasting industry has offered to “proactively” promote the events to mark International Yoga Day on June 21.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka and AYUSH Secretary Nilanjan Sanyal also held a meeting today with representatives of the broadcasting industry and other bodies and sought their participation in the efforts to popularise the events.
During the meeting, it was also agreed that Yoga would be popularised on the news platform through special programmes, discussions and studio-based events.
Representatives from the radio, digital cinema and community radio stream also offered to take forward the efforts on their platforms.
Keen to ensure the success of the first International Yoga Day, Modi has already pitched for making Yoga a mass movement, connecting people and strengthening the bonds of humanity. In the run-up to the Yoga Day, the Prime Minister would be sharing a post daily, covering various aspects of Yoga, a PMO statement had earlier said.
The logo for International Day of Yoga has already been launched and was done after being selected by a committee of yoga experts constituted by Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH). It has also been approved by Prime Minister Modi. The logo reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.
Sources said that on June 21-22, the government is also hosting a conference on yoga that will have speakers from 18 countries.
