PM’s Message on Second International Day of Yoga 06/21/2016

My dear friends from all over the world,

It gives me great pleasure to address you as weprepare for the 2nd International Day of Yoga – this unique occasionthat brings all of us together to celebrate the invaluable gift of India’sancient tradition. When I outlined a vision for an International Day of Yoga inSeptember 2014 at the United Nations General Assembly, even I did notanticipate the enormous enthusiasm for the occasion from all corners of the world.Your support and participation last year, and once again now redeems ourcommitment to nurture and promote this ancient discipline, and reaffirms yogaas an exemplary manifestation of “VasudhaivaKutumbakam” - The world as one family.

I recall the iconic images from thatmomentous day last year. All the way from the Pacific Islands to Port of Spain,from Vladivostok to Vancouver and from Copenhagen to Cape Town, thousandsgathered to unite the bodies and minds through the practice of Yoga. And the reverberations of their disciplinefound a natural home at the UN Headquarters in New York, where the journey hadbegun. I myself was fortunate to celebrate the event along with 36,000 of myfellow citizens and foreign guests in New Delhi.

As so many of you have already discovered, Yogais much more than a physical exercise – it enables us to access a new dimensionof the self, even while providing a holistic approach to preventive healthcareand wellbeing. Yoga helps us to restore our balance and furnishes us with amuch needed sense of clarity. And through its unifying power, we seekcompleteness, and at the same time, a oneness with the world.

Today all of you are the Ambassadors of Yoga, taking forward India’s ancient message to the world. I thank you for yourcommitment and welcome you as sisters and brothers of India’s family.