By H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 27, 2014 proposed that June 21 may be declared as International Yoga Day as it is the longest day of the year and shares special significance in many parts of the world. The text of PM's address on the importance of Yoga is as follows: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. This tradition is 5,000 years old. It embraces unity of mind and body, thought and action restraint and fulfilment, harnessing between man and nature, a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with you, the world and nature by changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well-being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” The proposal received support of 177 member States and they adopted a draft resolution and introduced in the General Assembly without a vote — a record resolution. During the first year on June 21, 2015 a large number of dignitaries from 84 nations performed 21 Yogasanas at Rajpath in New Delhi with Modi in the lead. After this, interest in Yoga grew and many people across the world joined to perform Yogasanas. Later, Modi announced two Yoga Awards, one for International and another National for excellent contribution in the field of Yoga. This reminds us of what Neil Armstrong said when he landed on the Moon on July 10, 1969: "A small step for man, a giant leap for humanity." In a way, what Modi has initiated in the field of Yoga is embracing humanity to bring peace and harmony in the world wracked by the menace of terrorism. It is interesting to note the Mysuru connection as Yoga Gurus like Krishnamacharya, Pattabhi Jois and B.K.S. Iyengar who have taken Yoga beyond borders.
