International Yoga Day 2024: On the 10th International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir, led the celebrations at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake. During his address, he encouraged people to incorporate yoga into their daily lives and highlighted its growing global significance as a force for good. Although the main event was scheduled to start at 6:30 am, it was delayed due to heavy rainfall this morning. Officials reported moderate to heavy rainfall across the Valley, complicating the organization of open-air yoga sessions, according to PTI. This year’s United Nations theme for the decennial celebration is ‘Yoga for Self and Society.’
Modi arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday for his first visit to the union territory since being sworn in as prime minister for the third time. Speaking at the event ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K,’ he assured that the union territory will regain its statehood soon. He also emphasized that the changes in the region reflect the work done by the BJP over the past 10 years at the Centre.
What role does Modi’s two-day visit play?
Assembly elections are scheduled in Jammu and Kashmir this year, and Prime Minister Modi’s visit is significant in this context. The region has not had an Assembly since 2018, when Governor’s Rule was imposed after the BJP ended its alliance with the Mehbooba Mufti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP), collapsing the ruling coalition.
A look back at PM Modi’s participation in Yoga Day events across time
The international community observes International Yoga Day on June 21. Each year, a theme is chosen to mark the occasion—this year’s theme is Yoga for Self and Society.
The ceremonies were led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the North Lawn of the UN Headquarters in New York City, with the subject of last year being Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth One Family. -International Yoga Day 2024
The 1st Yoga Day celebrations were held in 2015 at Raj Path in New Delhi. During the event, Prime Minister Modi and other dignitaries set two Guinness World Records: the world’s largest yoga session with 35,985 participants and the highest number of participating nationalities with 84.
S Jaishankar practices yoga alongside diplomats
Today, I was delighted to see so many diplomats, ambassadors, and colleagues from the foreign ministry join us for the yoga session, he emphasized, noting that this enthusiasm has inspired a global increase in yoga awareness and practice.
In the last ten years, we have come a long way. We can see the wellness and happiness yoga has brought to the world, Jaishankar stated at an event in Delhi.
Also Read: Pawan Kalyan
Highlighting yoga’s role in strengthening international relations, the minister said that yoga has been a fantastic bonding point for different cultures, becoming a universal practice. I often find that it serves as a common topic when I meet people from other countries, as the Prime Minister mentioned, it is something people share.
This year’s theme, Yoga for Self and Society, underscores yoga’s essential role in promoting both individual well-being and societal harmony.