International Yoga Day: PM Modi thanks enthusiasts around world and welcomes them as ambassadors of discipline

Ahead of the International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked nations across the globe for their enthusiasm and support to celebrate the ancient Indian discipline, adding that Yoga was so much more than just physical exercise and that it helped in achieving a sense of clarity.

In a video posted on his Twitter account, the Prime Minister asserted that when he had outlined a vision for an International Yoga Day in September 2014 at the United Nations General Assembly, he never anticipated the enormous enthusiasm for the occasion from all corners of the world.

"This unique occasion brings all of us together to celebrate the invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. Your support and participation last year and once again now, redeems our commitment to nurture and promote this ancient discipline and reaffirm yoga as the manifestation of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam- the world as one family," he said.

As #IDY2016 approaches, sharing a few thoughts on Yoga & the enthusiasm towards International Day of Yoga.https://t.co/orL3gaGFNh

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2016

Recalling the celebrations last year, the Prime Minister said that he remembered the iconic images from across the world where thousands gathered to observe Yoga Day. All the way from the Pacific Islands to Port of Spain, from Vladivostok to Vancouver and from Copenhagen to Cape Town, people participated.

"The reverberations of the discipline found a natural home at the UN Headquarters in New York where the journey began. I was fortunate to celebrate the event along with 30,000 of my fellow citizens and foreign guests in New Delhi. As so many of you have already discovered, yoga is much more than physical exercise. It enables us to access a new dimension of our self. Even while providing a holistic approach to preventive health care, yoga helps us to restore balance and furnishes us with a much need sense of clarity," the Prime Minister said.

Asserting that India, through yoga, seeks completeness and at the same time a oneness with the worlds, Prime Minister said all everyone across the world are ambassadors of Yoga, taking India's message out to the world. "I thank you for your commitment and welcome you as sister's and brother of India's family," he added.

As many as 10,000 people will be participating in the International Yoga Day celebrations in the national capital on June 21 in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The United Nations General Assembly had declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014.

Accordingly, the first International Yoga Day celebration was organised at Rajpath in New Delhi on June 21 last year.