Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: The United Nations on Thursday declared June 21 as the World Yoga Day. The decision, taken at the UN General Assembly, is being seen as a proud moment for India.
Confirming the news, the Ministry of External Affairs posted the following on micro-blogging site Twitter:
At India's initiative @un decides that International Day of Yoga to be observed every year on 21 June. pic.twitter.com/VKvuThqoHp
— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) December 11, 2014
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the world community to celebrate Indian yoga at the international level during his visit to the United Nations in September this year.
In his speech at the UNGA, Modi had said, "Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day. Yoga is an invaluable gift of our ancient tradition. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature."
Around 170 nations supported PM Modi's proposal. In November, European Union president Herman Van Rompuy told Modi that the 28-member EU supported his idea for a Yoga Day at the UN.
"Three months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appealed to the world community that India's yoga should be celebrated as World Yoga Day. I am happy to inform you that we have received support of 170 nations and four days from today, the United Nations will declare June 21 as the World Yoga Day," Sushma Swaraj had said last week.
Shripad Naik is the minister for Yoga and traditional medicines in the NDA government.
Yoga is the 5,000-year-old Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice that aims to transform body and mind.
