International Yoga Day: Yoga is important for evolution of humans, says PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Marking the beginning of the first International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said, "This is not just the beginning of Yoga Day, but a beginning to ensure peace." "We are not only celebrating a day but we are training the human mind to begin a new era of peace, Sadbhavana," he said.

Talking about the importance of doing Yoga, PM Modi said, "Yoga is not just about making the human body flexible. Yoga helps in leading both a stress free and healthier life."

PM Modi went on to speak about the need to do Yoga in today's day and age. "Mismatch between technology and humans may be a problem in the future. Yoga can help evolve humans, bridge that gap," PM Modi pitched. "It is important that the internal evolution of the human race continues," he added.

"I thank the UN and countries who co-sponsored the resolution to mark this day as International Day of Yoga," he said.

The International Yoga Day events will be held across cities, towns and districts in the country. Yoga day events are being held in 192 countries, including in the Arab world.

Indian missions abroad are all geared up the mark the occasion with some public events.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is to participate in the headline inaugural event at the UN that will be addressed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and attended by well-known spiritual guru Ravi Shankar.