Modi harps on yoga power as rain plays spoilsport (Roundup)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent some 20 minutes out in drizzle here on Wednesday doing yogic 'asanas' as lakhs of enthusiasts in various states stretched, twisted their bodies and performed breathing exercises on the third International Yoga Day.

But moderate to heavy rains in several parts of India prevented many more from taking part in mass demonstration events of the ancient Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice.

Leading the celebrations at a rain-drenched Ramabai Amedkar Sthal in the Uttar Pradesh capital, Modi described yoga as a binding factor for the global community and underlined its importance towards creating health, wealth and wellness.

Addressing a gathering of over 45,000 people, the Prime Minister, wearing a yoga-themed white T-shirt and white trouser, said yoga was as important as salt in food and urged all Indians to embrace yoga as a part of life.

He said yoga power has had a profound impact on the world.

"There are many countries which don't know our language, are not aware about Indian culture or traditions but they too are practising yoga. Much like it connects the mind with the soul, yoga is playing an important role in connecting the world."

Modi said since the UN declared June 21 as the International Day for Yoga in December 2014, awareness about it was rising leading to a new job market.

He said new yoga training institutes had developed and demand for yoga trainers and training institutes had been rising. "Across the globe, the demand for yoga teachers is rising, creating a new job market. Indians are the most preferred choice."

Modi then walked over to a yoga mat, did yogic exercises and then flew back to New Delhi.

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee attended an event at Rashtrapati Bhawan that drew about 200 employees and family members.

In Madhya Pradesh, Congress workers and agitating farmers performed 'shavasana' -- the dead body posture -- to denounce the June 6 killing of peasants by police during protests seeking remunerative prices for farm produce and loan waiver.

In Gujarat, BJP President Amit Shah joined yoga expert-turned-industrialist Baba Ramdev in Ahmedabad. The event was billed as the world's "largest" yoga gathering but a heavy downpour since early morning played spoilsport.

In rain-soaked Delhi, Lt. Gov. Anil Baijal and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal did yogic exercises at Connaught Place. Hundreds attended seven other major events in the city.

Celebrities and commoners in Mumbai did yoga on land, water and under water as well. Over 10,000 naval personnel and their families and Army officers took part in celebrations aboard ships and special yoga camps in the city's military areas.

People did yoga on the decommissioned aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, 15 other warships and even underwater in submarines, Defence Ministry spokesperson Rahul Sinha told IANS.

In Left-ruled Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan pressed people to be "secular" while embracing yoga.

"Yoga should not be mistaken as a religious ritual. It can be practised by all and it is just a physical exercise. But today it has come to light that some have hijacked yoga by reciting hymns. Yoga was in existence even before the hymns came into existence," he said.

In Bihar, the ruling alliance led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar stayed away from the celebrations. But Bharatiya Janata Party leaders, including Union Ministers, took part in the ceremonies attended by hundreds.

It was a low key affair in predominantly Christian Mizoram after an influential civil youth group asked people to refrain from doing yoga exercises. The main event was held at the Assam Rifles Ground in Aizawl.

Events were also held in hundreds of other places including in West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh.

--IANS

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