Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said yoga has grown into the world’s biggest communal observance, bringing people together across national and cultural boundaries, PTI reported.
Speaking at Kolkata’s programme for the 12th International Day of Yoga, Modi noted that June 21 — the year’s longest day — is now acknowledged globally as the day dedicated to yoga. “June 21, which marks the longest day on Earth, has now become the largest community celebration day because of yoga. Yoga brings people together. I congratulate the people of the world on this occasion,” he said.
Modi also praised Kolkata’s citizens for their wholehearted participation in the ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ initiative.
On this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” he said the age-old discipline helps bolster physical fitness, mental balance and active ageing, thereby raising life quality. “Yoga is not just physical exercise. It is not restricted to any age group. It is an expression of the human spirit,” he said.
Highlighting the need to preserve human capability as people grow older, Modi said that promoting healthy ageing should prevent advancing years from curbing potential. “When we speak of yoga for healthy ageing, we can work to ensure that age does not reduce human potential,” he said.
He pointed out that ageing need not mean decline: “Our target is to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. We aim to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30,” he said.
Concluding his remarks, he urged citizens to incorporate yoga into daily life rather than confining it to special events.
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