New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the universal and unifying nature of yoga in his address at the UN headquarters in New York Wednesday where led the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations.
“Yoga comes from India and it is a very old tradition. Like all ancient Indian traditions, it is also living and dynamic. Yoga is free from copyright, free from patents, and free from royalty payments,” the Prime Minister said.
Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US, said yoga was adaptable to any age, gender and fitness level. “Yoga is portable, you can do it at home or at work, or in transit. Yoga is flexible. You can practice it alone or in a group, learn from a teacher or be self-taught. Yoga is unifying, it is for everyone, for all ethnicities, for all faiths and for all cultures. Yoga is truly universal,” the Prime Minister added.
Calling the UN a “meeting point of entire humanity”, Modi said he was grateful to the world for supporting his proposal in 2014 to designate 21 June as International Yoga Day.
“Yoga means to unite… It was wonderful to see the entire world come together to support the idea back then… Yoga is not just about doing exercise on a mat. It is a way of life. A holistic approach to wellbeing. A way to mindfulness in thoughts and actions. A way to live in harmony with the self and nature… I conclude with a wish: May everyone be happy, may everyone be healthy,” he said.
The Prime Minister then joined hundreds on the UN headquarters’ North Lawn to practise yoga asanas for more than half an hour.
The event was also addressed by President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Csaba Korosi and New York Mayor Eric Adams.
There were long lines outside the UN headquarters since early Wednesday as representatives from nearly 180 countries as well as members of the Indian diaspora queued up to attend the event. Indian Americans blew conch shells and chanted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” while waiting for the Prime Minister to arrive.
Deputy Commissioner for New York City’s Mayor’s Office (International Affairs) Dilip Chauhan said of the enthusiasm: “You can see the vibration and excitement… Such a great feeling.”
Before he arrived at the venue, Modi retweeted a post by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, captioning it: “May Yoga Day bring us all closer and improve the health of our planet.”
In the 36-second clip, Guterres – who was not present — sent out a Yoga Day message: “Yoga offers a haven of calm. It can reduce anxiety and promote mental wellbeing. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet which so badly needs our protection. And it reveals our common humanity helping to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet and ourselves.”
Actor Richard Gere, who participated in the event, said: “It’s a feeling that is so open, so embracing. I hope this feeling intoxicates this entire building. We are responsible for each other. It’s a very nice feeling today.”
Singer Mary Millben, who will perform for Modi on Friday, said it was a “wonderful honour to be a part of this great day with the Prime Minister celebrating his visit to the United States and certainly all of the wonderful work that he is doing across the world… We’re going to have a great week!”
Three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej said: “I am extremely excited to be here. Thousands of people are here. I will be following PM Modi today and will do yoga here. This time it’s going to be really huge and amazing.”
On his first day in the US in New York Tuesday, Modi had met a galaxy of dignitaries from billionaire Elon Musk to Nobel Laureate Paul Romer to astrophysicist, author and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson to American investor Ray Dalio.
He also met experts from the health sector, industry, technology, economy and education.
He tweeted that he emphasised to all “the positive changes in India and how they are being powered by the youth”.
The Prime Minister will travel to Washington D.C. Thursday and receive a ceremonial welcome at the White House. He will be hosted in the evening by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
Modi will also address a joint session of the US Congress the same day.
On 23 June, he will be hosted for lunch by Vice-President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
In addition to official engagement, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to leading CEOs, professionals and members of the Indian diaspora.
Also read: ‘Festival of democracy:’ Modi invites G20 delegates to India for 2024 general elections