Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thoughts on Yoga

It became a historical moment when 21^st June was declared as the “International Day of Yoga” by United Nations (UN) on 11 December 2014. It became possible due to the immense efforts and positive approach of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. Modiji himself has strong faith in the ideology and power of Yoga and also practices Yoga regularly. Around 177 nations of UN co-sponsored this decision.

PM Modi delivering speech on 27 September 2014
(Pic courtesy: BBC News)

In today’s world, when the mankind in the competitive race of materialism is facing the issue of lack of mental peace, the world is now thinking on the holistic development; which includes the concept of back to basics. So in his speech on 27 September 2014 in the UN General Assembly, Shree Modi mentioned it as “Yoga is our ancient invaluable heritage. Yoga maintains the balance between mind and heart, thought and action, control and desire as well as nature and human. It is the holistic approach of health and development. Yoga is not just exercise; it’s a medium to balance with the nature. Yoga can bring positive change in our life style and develop awareness and thus result in fighting against the unnatural ecological changes”.

 In an interview with a local newspaper in March 2015 during his Seychelles visit, PM Modi stated that “From experience, I believe in Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam - Excellence in work is Yoga. Imbibing this ethos brings satisfaction to me. Work brings satisfaction and this satisfaction is very comforting”.

In a speech by him in Mumbai on 24 October 2014, PM Modi discussed about the holistic approach as “Holistic Healthcare is becoming the centre of attraction worldwide. More and more highly qualified doctors are also turning towards homeopathy. People are making mood to move towards stress free life from stress full life.  And if we have better alternatives in our ancient tradition, then we should think how we can spread them worldwide. And if we work in that direction, we can not only benefit ourselves but also to the whole world”.

Today, the meaning of Yoga has been misunderstood as just a form of physical exercise. On this PM Modi says that “Today a general notion has developed that Yoga means doing jus dfiffernt postures of Asana by physical postures. So can we also say that the artists of circus are Yogis? No Yoga is not just that. The person who has the ability to lead on the path of Gyan (knowledge), Bhakti (devotional bliss) and Karma (blissful action) is regarded as a Yogi. Yoga is that condition that gives the person the opportunity to develop equilibrium between the mind, heart and speech. Yoga is the key to keep the keep the self at peace. Our scriptures teach us that Yoga is the assimilation of the inner self”.

When UN declared 21^st June as the International Day of Yoga, PM Modi said “I strongly think that today the people worldwide are suffering from various problems of stress and tension and is unable to express their issue to anybody, in this situation through International Yoga Day, they can be helped a lot by connecting with the inner self. If the people will be happy tension free, then only the society can become tension free. And if the society becomes tension free then the whole mankind can develop and prosper by creating a world full of positive vibes”.

PM Modi doing Yoga
(Pic courtesy: ZEE News)

PM Modi also thanked the international community as “I think the whole world for accepting 21^st June as the Yoga Day and I pray that through this initiative, you all become tension free, your lives be filled with happiness, learn to live in the present, identify your inner strength and ability and become active on strengthening your inner skills. But then, India’s responsibility will be increased as it is the land where the discipline of Yoga originated. We will have to teach the world all the authentic facts about Yoga and establish the fact that Yoga is the key to transform the world with the mankind which is over all developed and capable in all the aspects as well as balanced”. 

So let’s participate in the noble initiative of PM Modi and make this historical day successful in the words of PM Modi as “Come, let’s join for the development of the mankind in the ancient valuable discipline. Join with us in this great ancient heritage, this is the heritage of the mankind, this is your heritage and now it’s your duty to transfer this heritage with maintaining its original thoughts and teachings. And thus, prepare yourself for it”.