Intro : Modi never misses a chance to talk about Yog after the UN declared June 21 as the International Yog Day (IYD). Wherever he goes, Modi reminds people about their participation in the IYD. In his recent visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea also he told the people there the importance of Yog in daily life.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to observe the International Yog Day to make practicing Yog a mass movement. He spoke at length about it in his May 31 Man ki Baat programme on AIR. It is his own style to establish direct contact with the masses. He establishes direct contact with the common people like students, farmers, workers and labourers and shares with them their most common problems and suggests solutions to them. His talks are heart-touching.
During his speech at the UN General Assembly in September 2014 he proposed to observe the International Yog Day. The proposal got unprecedented response from 170 member nations and the resolution was passed within just 100 days. This was also a unique happening in the history of UN that a resolution was passed within the shortest period with maximum support. This was the most proud moment for any Indian anywhere in the world and of course in India. PM Modi reminded the people that 21st June is remembered because it is the longest day but now henceforth it would be remembered as Yog Day.
Many social and cultural organisations have welcomed the move. Modi, himself being an RSS swayamsevak and full timer, made the RSS more proud by getting this resolution passed by the highest global body. The RSS passed a resolution in its March 2015 Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) congratulating the PM and appealing to masses to observe this day with maximum participation so that it would lead to integrated lifestyle and promote harmony and global unity. The ABPS also appealed to the government to include this as a subject in the syllabus and encourage research in Yog. The ABPS also appealed to all its swayamsevaks and all the people of Indian origin in the world to participate in this event to make the world happy, healthy and harmonious.
Modi never misses a chance to talk about the Yog Day soon after the UN declared June 21 as IYD. Wherever he goes, Modi reminds those people about their participation in the IYD. In his recent visit to China, Mongolia and South Korea he told the people there the importance of Yog in daily life. During the visit at Temple of Heaven in Beijing he reminded the people of the fact about Yog and its role in balancing the body, mind and intellect of a human being. Today Yog is more essential when the average human being is suffering from tension and stress. The Chinese boys were performing yogasanas while the Indian boys were doing Taichi in the Temple of Heaven. This is the perfect striking balance between the two cultures. PM Modi said that Yog can cure diseases and hunger. So it provides a much needed solace to the human beings passing through the hour of distress.
He said, “The world will understand the real meaning of Yog on June 21 and through this we can achieve the system of holistic care which the world needs badly.” He said: “We never thought that Yog could be medium to bring the world together. Our ancestors thought of this world as one family (Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam). Now Yog can be a catalytic agent in fostering this process. But this will be strengthened only when we participate in large numbers in this exercise and present to the world the correct nature and scope of Yog. Yog connects the heart and intellect; provides a way for healthy life; and dissuades us from consumerism. Now it can go further and connect body, mind and intellect, and even the entire world. Yog has the power, strength and capability to free human beings from all types of stress and tensions, and lead him on to the path of global welfare. Therefore, we must feel proud over the science of Yog as Bharat has given it to the world and the world has honoured it.” The way and style in which Prime Minister Modi explained the details about IYD through his Man ki Baat programme on AIR, will definitely create a new confidence in the minds of the people and take a form of massive mass movement in days to come. There is simply no doubt about it.
Pramod Mazumdar (The writer is a senior journalist)
