Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Srinagar on June 20, 2024, to participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21. This marks his first trip to Jammu and Kashmir since taking charge as Prime Minister for a third consecutive term. The theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually on June 21, is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’.
On June 21, PM Modi will join over 7,000 participants in performing Yoga on the picturesque banks of Dal Lake to mark the International Yoga Day. Participants have been undergoing training in the specific Yoga ‘Asanas’ that the Prime Minister will perform over the past three days. In addition to the Yoga Day event, PM Modi will participate in the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. He will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of various development projects.
According to an official handout from the Press Information Bureau, “On 21st June, at around 6.30 AM, the prime minister will participate in the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC in Srinagar. The Prime Minister will address the gathering and take part in the CYP Yoga session thereafter.”
Meanwhile, International Yoga Day celebrations have been taking place around the world, showcasing the global appeal of yoga. In Washington, yoga enthusiasts gathered at Wharf, overlooking the Potomac River, for celebrations ahead of the International Yoga Day. India’s Deputy Ambassador to the US, Sripriya Ranganathan, stated that yoga illuminates the path to creating harmony and balance for a brighter future of society. The event commenced with prayers and Indian classical dance performances.
The High Commission of India in the United Kingdom hosted a yoga event at Trafalgar Square, attracting over 700 participants. Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami expressed delight at the turnout, highlighting the significance of yoga in the heart of London. “It was a great pleasure to be able to have well over 700 people here in this central spot in London. With the iconic statues all around it. And of course, to have multiple yoga schools come here and lead us in the practice of yoga,” reported ANI.
In Karnataka, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot declared India as the ‘Guru of Yoga’ during the inaugural function of the National Yoga Olympiad-2024 on June 18. He emphasized the integral role of yoga in India’s culture and traditions since ancient times, highlighting its recognition in scriptures and its global acclaim. The Olympiad, hosted by the Union Ministry of Education in collaboration with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), took place at the Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Manasagangothri in Mysore from June 18 to 20.
The New Delhi Municipal Council organized yoga camps across the city on June 18 ahead of International Yoga Day. Camps were set up in Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Stadium, and Nehru Park, where participants engaged in energetic yoga asanas.
In Mumbai, the Shlloka Joshii Foundation organized a grand event featuring visual yoga demonstrations. The event was graced by Padma Shri Swami Sivananda and Bollywood director Subhash Ghai, further showcasing the diverse appeal of yoga.
