Chandigarh: In a mega event on the occasion of World Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked people to embrace yoga as a way of life, saying that it is not a religious practice, but a science for better mental and physical health.
Joining over 30,000 yoga enthusiasts at the Capital Complex in Chandigarh, Mr Modi, dressed in a white T-shirt, pajamas and a scarf, performed breathing and stretching exercises for about 45 minutes.
The participants included students, defence personnel and schoolchildren. People from all backgrounds performed yoga asanas on pink and blue mats. About 10,000 people also performed yoga at over 100 other locations in Chandigarh.
The Prime Minister, while stressing on the benefits of yoga for physical well-being, announced two yoga awards for contribution to the field of yoga internationally and nationally, to be given on International Yoga Day every year.
Meanwhile, Armed forces on Tuesday marked the second International Yoga Day across the country by performing ‘asanas’ at several events including on warships.
