US commemorates the inaugural International Yoga Day

NEW DELHI: A Congressional resolution introduced in the US House of Representatives by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has commemorated the inaugural International Yoga Day.

“As a longtime yoga practitioner myself, I experienced firsthand the positive impacts of yoga on my own life and I'm honoured to be introducing this resolution today and share with others the true meaning of yoga,” Gabbard said on Thursday on the House floor before introducing the resolution.

Recognising adoption of June 21 as International Yoga Day by United Nations, the resolution co-sponsored by several eminent lawmakers quotes Prime Minister's address to the United Nations General Assembly last year regarding importance of Yoga.

Other co-sponsors of the resolution are Congressman Michael, Steve Israel, John Lewis, Tim Ryan, Rick Larsen, Jim McDermott, Joe Crowley and Adam Smith, who is Ranking Member of House Armed Services Committee.

Congressman Lewis is the only living “Big Six” leader of the African-American Civil Rights Movement and spoke alongside Dr Martin Luther King when he delivered the 'I have a Dream' speech.

“Over 24 million Americans and 250 million people around the world practice some form of yoga and on Sunday people all around the world will be celebrating the benefits of living a yoga lifestyle,” Gabbard noted.

Meanwhile Australia on Friday welcomed the International Yoga Day and announced its decision to host a conference on the significance of the ancient practise at Melbourne on Sunday.

Australia's High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling said the celebration was an affirmation of the universal acceptance of yoga as a practise for mental and physical well-being.

“The celebration is also a success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's belief in yoga,” said Suckling.

During his visit to Australia last year, Modi had presented a book on yoga to his Australian counterpart, Tony Abbott.

The Israel Embassy in India, meanwhile, is celebrating International Yoga Day.