Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said that it is a matter of pride for India that Yoga has been internationally recognized by more than 170 countries across the globe and is being celebrated in varied manner worldwide.
During a state level function held to mark the first International Yoga Day celebration here, she said that the celebrations in the country are not limited only to certain districts or states but they are being observed by army, navy or civilians with equal enthusiasm.
"It (yoga) has emerged as a new unifying force in the country as people have risen above the caste, creed, race and religion considerations and are celebrating it in unison as a national festival," Badal said.
Aiming to spread Yoga to every household in the nation, she said that yoga brings a harmony between mind and body.
"It is a must for holistic health, happiness and harmony," she said adding that it gives mental strength thus helping the youths to keep away from drugs," asserted Badal.
She hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative to help people focus on their internal well-being through yoga instead of external comforts.
"In the rat race for gathering material comforts, mental stress is shooting up while the graph of happiness is on the ebb," she said while adding that Yoga is the remedy and the only antidote for this quandary.
Meanwhile, around 2 lakh people from various parts of Jalandhar participated in the International Yoga Day celebrations which included MLAs,police, army, paramilitary forces and common people.
In Jalandhar, cabinet Minister and BJP leader Chuni Lal and MLAs along with other officials of the government and police were also present at the program organized at Shivani Park, official said.
According to defence spokesman, Naresh Vig, about 8,000 officers and Army jawans performed Yoga at Jalandhar Cantt, in the presence of General Officer Commanding of Vajra Corps Lt Gen M P S Hira.
It was also observed at the BSF Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar, by all the officers and jawans in presence of DIG J P Uniyal.
