Yoga good for people, world: Modi

SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that yoga is beneficial for both people and society, calling it a powerful agent for global good. Speaking at the International Day of Yoga (IDY) event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar, he highlighted yoga's importance in living in the present and fostering global welfare.

"Yoga is as important, applicable and powerful for the self as it is for society. The entire humanity benefits when society benefits from it," the PM said.

"The world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good, for it enables us to live in the present without the baggage of the past," he said, adding, "It helps us realise that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us... When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world."

Despite heavy rain, which forced the event indoors, over 7,000 attendees participated. The theme of this year's IDY was 'Yoga for Self and Society'.

Modi noted that world leaders frequently discuss yoga, underscoring its global recognition and integration into daily life worldwide. He cited the growing popularity of yoga in countries like Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.

"There is barely any world leader who has not discussed yoga during our interactions. In fact, all world leaders show a keen interest in it when we meet. Yoga has become a part of daily life in every corner of the world," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that meditation, which is part of yoga, can intimidate common people due to its spiritual overtones and that it could be understood easily as concentration and focus on things. "This concentration and focus can be cultivated with practice and techniques and this kind of the state of mind gives great results with least tiredness and helps to avoid distractions," he said.

Modi also mentioned that yoga can boost tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, providing new livelihood opportunities. He praised the dedication of participants who braved the weather, noting their enthusiasm will be remembered.

After the rain, Modi interacted with participants, taking selfies and sharing moments on social media. He stated that yoga promotes harmony of mind, body, and soul, reflecting the event's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society."