While yoga keeps one healthy and fit, it has emerged as a force of unity in the world

Terming yoga as a “force of unity”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of International Yoga Day on Sunday said, “It deepens the bond of humanity as it does not discriminate. It goes beyond race, colour, gender, faith and nations. Anybody can embrace Yoga. If we can fine tune our chords of health and hope, the day is not far away when the world will witness the success of healthy and happy humanity. Yoga can definitely help us make this happen.”

Highlighting the importance of this gift from ancient India, he said, “Yoga boosts the immune system of the body. You must include Pranayama in your daily life. Pranayama Yoga or breathing exercises strengthens our respiratory system. It is more relevant in the current times as it is the respiratory system of the body that is most adversely affected by the Covid19 virus.”

However, the Prime Minister in his address to the nation via video conference also described the yoga day as a day of solidarity and universal brotherhood. This year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people observed Yoga Day by practicing yoga at their homes with their families.

He said yoga has brought us together. The Huge participation of people in ‘My Life - My Yoga’ video blogging competition from across the globe reflects the growing popularity of yoga, he said.

Today, all of us should stay away from large gatherings and practice yoga at home with our families. This year’s theme is 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'. Yoga promotes family bonding as children, youngsters, elders in the family come together to practise yoga, there is a flow of positive energy in home. Yoga also promotes emotional stability, the Prime Minister said.

“As conscious citizens, we will move forward as a family and society in unison. We will try to make ‘Yoga at home and Yoga with family’ a part of our lives. We will surely succeed, we will surely win,” he added.