New Delhi:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning led the celebrations for fourth International Day of Yoga across the country.

Addressing close to 50,000 people at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, the PM said, “Yoga has become the biggest mass movement and it has shown the world the path from illness to wellness. Instead of increasing suffering, Yoga heals.’’

Wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of white trousers, the PM performed breathing exercises and asanas along with thousands of other yoga enthusiasts who performed the asanas on saffron yoga mats.

Noting that the world has embraced yoga, the PM said, “glimpses of this can be seen in the manner in which International Day of Yoga has been marked every year. From Dehradun to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, yoga has become a positive influence in lives of millions?”

“Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient yet modern, it is constant yet evolving. It has the best of our past and presents and a ray of hope for our future. In yoga, we have the perfect solution to the problems we face, either as individuals or in our society. The way to lead a calm, creative and content life is yoga. It can show the way in defeating tensions and mindless anxiety. Instead of dividing, yoga unites. Instead of further animosity, yoga assimilates. Instead of increasing suffering, yoga heals,’’ Modi said.

The PM is leading the celebration with Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Suresh Prabhu, Uma Bharti, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ravi Shankar Prasad participating in yoga events in Lucknow, Nagpur, Chennai, Rudraprayag, Hajipur and Patna respectively. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is also on a tour to Europe, will lead the celebrations at the European Parliament in Brussels.

President Ram Nath Kovind, who is on the State visit of Suriname, will also participate in the Yoga Day celebration along with the President of Suriname and other dignitaries in Paramaribo, Suriname today.

UN celebrates IDY for the first time

United Nations, June 21 (UNI)- Over 100 people, including diplomats and UN staff, performed yoga at UN headquarters to celebrate first-ever International Day of Yoga (IDY).

The celebrities included UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and his wife Yoo (Ban) Soon- taek, who participated in the event guided by Sri Ravi Shankar Guruji from India, a report in Chinese news agency said.

Addressing the event, Ban said, “I am hoping that if yoga promotes physical dexterity, it can also promote diplomatic dexterity.” “My hope is that yoga will give people everywhere the sense and the oneness we need to work together to live in harmony and usher in a life of dignity for all,” he added. On December 11, 2014, the UN General Assembly proclaimed in its resolution June 21 as IDY.