Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Thousands of people performed asanas in the national capital on June 21, 2017, to mark the third International Yoga Day. Over 10,000 people gathered at Central Park in the heart of Connaught Place and the circular road around it making it one of the largest yoga shows in the city. School students, teachers, government employees, political leaders, police and para-military officials as well as volunteers from NGOs were among those performing the yoga postures on the mats rolled out on the lawns.
Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu, also the Chief Guest of the Delhi event, thanked PM Narendra Modi for taking up the initiative with UN to make Yoga as an international art. “It is a matter of pride that our ancient tradition got international acceptance. Yoga is neither political nor religious but a traditional Indian art practiced since times immemorial, it brings peace, good health and unity. Yoga is a science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, mind and the soul,” Naidu said, according to a PIB release.
Naidu while leading Yoga programme at Nirman Bhawan urged everyone to join the drive. He said that yoga is important for the society. Celebrating yoga and performing it all over the world is to make people aware about the benefits of yoga and inspire them. Yoga is an universal and traditional practice adopted by our forefathers which brings unity among people, the Minister said, according to a PIB release.
The Delhi event at Connaught place, organised by the AYUSH Ministry and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), started at 6:15 am with performances by students. A ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ comprising various asanas in a sequential order, followed for 45 minutes till 7.45 am. Naidu along with Lt. Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal, Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha, Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, former Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel and MP Meenakshi Lekhi performed yogasanas along with thousands on the occasion, according to the release.