PM Modi participates in IYD session at UNHQ; Guinness record set with 135 nationalities attending
New Delhi, June 21 (Mayank Nigam) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for making yoga a part of everyday life to further wellness, as he participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN Headquarters. The event saw yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities join the PM, setting a Guinness World Record. Addressing the event, that was attended by UNGA president Csaba K?rösi and Hollywood star Richard Gere, the PM said “Almost every nationality is represented here today, joined by yoga. Yoga means to unite, so your coming here together is an expression of another form of yoga.” In a tweet, the PM said: “Delighted to take part in the #YogaDay programme at @UN HQ. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness.” The PM said that India has always promoted “togetherness” through its traditions, and yoga helps create a healthy and empowered society, whose collective energy multiplies.
“When we become sincere to our responsibilities; we reach the pinnacle of Yoga,” the PM said, adding “Yoga expands our inner vision, connects us to the consciousness.” Referring to the global participation, he said the “Ocean Ring of Yoga” has made the IYD celebrations more significant this year. The PM added: “Last year the entire world came together to support India’s proposal to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets…It is wonderful to see the entire world come together again for Yoga.” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi in a tweet said: “A phenomenal #IDY2023! “Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts from 135 nationalities joined PM @narendramodi for the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at @UN HQ, setting a Guinness World Record for participation by maximum number of nationalities in a Yoga Session.”
India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj said that PM Modi’s presence at the special IYD celebration marks a historic moment, “as it was in this very location, the UN General Assembly had adopted India’s proposal to recognise International Day of Yoga as an annual commemoration in 2014”. Michael Empric, Guinness World Records official adjudicator, said: “Today there was a Guinness World Record title attempt for most nationalities in a Yoga lesson. The mark to be was 140 nationalities. Today in New York, at the UN, they have 135. It is a new Guinness world records title.” UNGA President Csaba K?rösi, addressing the gathering, said “Yoga is a way of uniting mind and body and also the environment and us.” Ahead of the IYD session, PM Modi paid tributes at the Wall of Peace and the Mahatma Gandhi statue situated in the north lawns of the UN Headquarters. He also interacted with children who participated in the yoga session.