US-based Hindu students to honour PM Narendra Modi for yoga contributions

WASHINGTON: A US-based organisation of Hindu students has decided to honour Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Light of Yoga award for his contribution to raise awareness about the ancient Indian practice across the world.

Along with Modi, three others -- H R Nagendra, chairman of Committee of Yoga Experts for International Yoga Day, and spiritual gurus Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Swami Dayananda Saraswati -- would be given the award by the Hindu Students Council (HSC) at the Global Dharma Conference in New Jersey from September 11-13.

The Prime Minister is unlikely to be present to receive the award at the three-day conference which will be attended by religious leaders from around the globe.

Modi, however, is scheduled to visit New York in late September to attend the annual UN General Assembly session.

The award recognises the contributions of the leaders to the International Day of Yoga and their leadership in advocating its spiritual and health benefits.

Modi, during his first address to the UN General Assembly in September 2014, mooted the proposal to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

The 64-year-old prime minister even performed the ancient Indian spiritual discipline at a grand event at New Delhi's historic Rajpath at the inaugural yoga day this year and urged all Indians to put yoga on the world map.