Envoys from 152 foreign missions invited for Int Yoga Day

Government has invited diplomats from 152 foreign missions in the country for the mega event on June 21 to celebrate the UN-declared International Yoga Day.
Every diplomatic mission has been given three passes for the function to be held at Rajpath here from 7.30 AM to 7.35 PM where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present, sources said. Confirmations to attend were still coming-in, they said when asked how many diplomats have confirmed their presence.
However, not every top envoy is expected to be present with some of them travelling or having prior commitments, the sources said.
The UN General Assembly in December had adopted an India- led resolution declaring June 21 as 'International Yoga Day', three months after the Prime Minister had proposed the idea.

Around 35,000-40,000 people are expected to participate in the event at the Rajpath besides 5,000 members of the armed police forces. The event will be webcast and telecast live. Minister for Ayush Sripad Yasso Naik today took stock of preparation for the event.
Close to 11 lakh NCC cadets are expected to perform yoga across the country to mark the day.

In the run-up to the mega event, the government is also set to organise an international conference on yoga for holistic health.
"From the Defence Ministry, over 11 lakh NCC cadets are to perform common yoga protocol while from the Home Ministry, 5,000 members of armed police forces are to participate at Rajpath.

"About 9 lakh will also perform in their respective field units under the HRD Ministry, observing International Yoga Day in educational institutions as well as arranging 5,000 school children for Rajpath event," according to a presentation.
It said while Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and Mahila Mandals under the Youth Affairs Ministry are expected to participate in yoga demonstrations in respective districts, yoga exhibition through Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture has also been planned.
The Tourism Ministry is making elaborate arrangements through its offices in India and abroad to publicise the event.