Prime Minister Narendra Modi today addressed the residents of Srinagar at the Dal Lake to mark International Day of Yoga.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the people of Jammu and Kashmir towards Yoga today will remain in their hearts forever. The Prime Minister emphasised that even though the International Yoga Day programme was postponed and split into two or three sessions, rainy weather and low temperatures did not dampen the spirits of the people. Prime Minister Modi emphasised the importance of making yoga an instinct in life for oneself and society and said the benefits would be reaped when yoga is integrated into everyday life and takes on a simpler form.
The Prime Minister said that meditation, which is a part of yoga, sometimes scares common people because of its spiritual connotations, but it can be easily understood as focus or concentration on a thing. This focus or concentration can be developed with practice and skill, he said. This state of mind gives great results with minimal fatigue and helps in avoiding distractions. Apart from the eventual spiritual journey, meditation is a tool for self-improvement and training, he said.
“Yoga is important, applicable and powerful not just for society but also for yourself,” the Prime Minister stressed. When society benefits from yoga, the entire humanity benefits, he said. He recalled watching a video about a competition in Egypt for making yoga photos and videos at the country’s iconic tourist centre and praised the efforts of the participants. “Similarly, yoga and tourism can be major sources of employment in Jammu and Kashmir,” the Prime Minister stressed.
At the end of his speech, the Prime Minister lauded the people of Jammu and Kashmir for braving harsh weather conditions and coming out in large numbers to show their support for the International Day of Yoga to be celebrated in Srinagar in 2024.
