‘Health insurance at zero budget’: Modi leads mass Yoga session in Chandigarh

Yoga is path of liberation, not attainment; not a religious event, says Narendra Modi.

Chandigarh

: Calling on the world to embrace Yoga as a discipline in everyday life, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of the International Yoga Day on Tuesday, asserted that the ancient Indian art was the most selfless of its kind as it did not discriminate, did not ask for much, but simply functioned for the betterment of mankind and brought people together.

Addressing the mass gathering, the Prime Minister said that he had proposed June 21st as the ideal day for Yoga Day celebrations because in many parts of the world, this day is quite long and is closer to the earth.

Stating that Yoga Day has garnered massive support from across the world, Prime Minister Modi said that there is no other event which matches the global popularity of this day.

-"The United Nations observes several occasions but no other movement has become a global movement like Yoga Day. No other event is able to match the popularity of Yoga Day. This proves the power of the legacy by our ancestors,-" he said.

WATCH: PM Narendra Modi doing Yoga in Chandigarh #YogaDayhttps://t.co/efar5Dim3b

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2016

Further asserting that some people do not understand the science behind Yoga, the Prime Minister said that the disciple was not a religious practice and was the path to salvation, adding that it provides health insurance at zero budget.

-"Yoga is for the believer and non believer as well. It does not differentiate between the rich and poor or the literate and illiterate. Just like the cell phone has become a part of your daily life, I call on the world to embrace Yoga,-" he said.

The Prime Minister also said that it needs to be ensured that while Yoga spreads across the globe as a popular practice, its sanctity is maintained, adding that it must not be dragged into any controversies either.

Talking about Yoga as a roaring business success, he said that the form was gaining popularity as a major business and profession as well and that the demand for Yoga trainers across the globe was growing every day.

-"Let's focus on one thing in the coming days and that is how to mitigate diabetes through Yoga. Diabetes can surely be controlled through Yoga. Let us make Yoga more popular world over. Let India produce good Yoga teachers,-" the Prime Minister said.

He also thanked the United Nations for extending their support to ensure the success of this day across the globe.

Over 10,000 people, including 100 differently-abled children, participated in the event in Chandigarh, which began at 6.30 am. The theme for this year's event is to 'Connect the Youth'.

As per reports, 10,000 participants each from Chandigarh and adjoining states of Haryana and Punjab performed yoga asanas with Prime Minister.

Stringent security arrangements have been put in place. About 4000 paramilitary and 3000 Chandigarh police personnel have been deployed to guard the programme.

In the run up to the event, Modi released a commemorative postal stamp on Surya Namaskara in the national capital on Monday.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development took up the initiative of 'Yoga Olympiad', which saw participation of school children from across 21 states.

Over 173 Indian missions across the world are also organising Yoga Day celebrations to spread awareness about the ancient Indian exercise. Besides the main event, several Indian missions have organised a series of curtain raiser events in various parts of the world to spread Yoga awareness.

Meanwhile, the United Nations headquarters in New York was lit up ahead of International Yoga Day.

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11 in 2014 after a call from Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27.