New Delhi, June 21 (IANS) With International Yoga Day being observed across the country, NDA leaders on Sunday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts towards garnering global recognition for India’s ancient tradition. The leaders also underlined the importance of yoga, calling it a way that binds young and old together.

Addressing a Yoga Day event in the national capital, Union Minister J.P. Nadda mentioned how it was PM Modi who approached the United Nations (UN) to grant international status to yoga.

He said: “We know that Prime Minister Modi has taken Yoga, our very ancient tradition, to a global stage, presented its contributions to the world, and taken a significant step to popularise it globally.”

“In 2014, when he spoke at the United Nations for the first time as India’s Prime Minister, he had clearly said that the tradition of Yoga needs to be established at the global level. He had appealed to the UNO to celebrate Yoga Day at an international level,” he added.

Nadda further said: “In December, the same year, the UN declared to celebrate International Yoga Day every year on 21st June. In a way, it is a huge victory for us. Around 190 countries across the world have joined this initiative and today Yoga Day is being celebrated in various places by people of all age groups.”

Speaking to IANS, Delhi Legislative Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta said: “This day has been made possible due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I have witnessed that this campaign has reached almost every home and even kids are taking part.”

“It is a huge achievement for the Indian government,” he added.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh also performed yoga at an event in the national capital.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, BJP MP Anurag Thakur emphasised that yoga helps a person to relieve the stress of daily life, “especially when the world is reeling under a global crisis”.

He further said: “Yoga is the only way which enables a person to improve the quality of living. Whether young or old, it is a mechanism which brings everyone together, on one platform.”

“I thank PM Modi for making this day possible,” he added.

Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC, who took part in ‘Yoga by the Bay’ event, said: “Since the Prime Minister gave the message of yoga to the world, we have been practising yoga here for the past 12 years. Our only goal is to promote the idea that in a fast-paced city like Mumbai, yoga ensures good health.”

Prime Minister Modi led a massive Yoga Day event in Kolkata, which witnessed a participation of around 35,000 people.

–IANS

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