Yoga is an elixir for growth and prosperity

Yoga is one of the most potential tools to build a strong nation as it significantly enhances the mental and physical ability of a person. In the mythologies, it is mentioned that the practice of regular yoga, meditation, discipline and war skills had produced mighty kings and monarchs who ruled a vast kingdom spreading over most parts of the world. It is mentioned in the Mahabharata that the king of China participated in the battle of Mahabharata. It shows one of the mighty warriors from the Kuru dynasty might have subdued China and won the Chinese king’s support during the Mahabharat battle. More research is required on this subject. India can become strong and guide the world community for a better life style close to nature. The world community always listens to a strong nation only. Yoga is one of the tools which can make people strong and prosperous.

The United Nations proclaimed 21st June as the International Day of Yoga with resolution No. 69/131. The draft resolution for the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. The environment to reduce the physical inactivities can be created with people’s participation. Khelo India, Amrit Sarovar Projects, the integrated e-Gram Swaraj, Clean Ganga, Swach Bharat and Mera Yuva Bharat etc are laudable schemes to create the right environment for yoga and physical activities.

Today, the war, violence and human sufferings across the world attribute to lack of spiritual growth which can quarantine the greed virus in human mind. Only material growth can’t build a peaceful and prosperous world; it will only lead to destruction of the planet earth and make people more uncivilized than the stone age people. Today greed has converted humans into monsters to destroy everything required for the survival and growth of the human race.

Many economic thinkers always say the global economy collapses from time to time due to excess greed. Financial stimulus and relief packages can’t prevent the economic collapse unless people develop a mind which is in harmony with nature and is engaged in creating inclusive growth opportunities for people across the world. The former US President, Barack Obama said greed was the reason for the financial sector collapse in 2008. If greed is not nipped in the bud it is bound to wreak havoc in the global trade from time to time. The practice of yoga will help people handle social, economic and human problems efficiently.

Today millions of people in more than 100 countries practice yoga to enhance their mental and physical ability to a higher level. The global market size of yoga is over $ 130 billion and it is expected to grow up to $ 215 billion by 2025. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of yoga studios across the world grows phenomenally at 11.7 per cent. If we take into account the retreats, clothing, mats, blocks, and other accessories, the global yoga market is worth over $130 bn. Similarly, the wellness tourism market, which includes yoga retreats, is projected to reach $ 399 billion by 2022. Yoga in the backdrop of nature yields good results. With pure air, clean water, pure food and greenery help the yoga sector grow.

Since yoga is accepted by people from all castes, creeds, regions and religions, it has the inherent capacity to integrate the country. Odisha, North East India, Uttarakhand, Kerala and Maharashtra have immense potential for the growth of the yoga sector. In order to tap the export potential of yoga, the Modi government relentlessly works to popularize yoga and make it a mass movement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the International Yoga Day. He is himself an avid practitioner of Yoga. Many organizations like Patanjali of Haridwar, Vivekananda Kendra, RSS and hundreds of yoga institutions teach yoga to the common man free of cost. The day is not far when yoga would be able to bring peace and harmony for the world community.