Prime Minister Modi terms yoga as a “ray of hope” in fight against covid-19

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed yoga as a “ray of hope” and a “source of strength” in the fight against covid-19.

In his message on the seventh International Day of Yoga, Modi said yoga was a ray of hope to a world grappling with the covid-19 infections and its after effects.

“When the unseen coronavirus knocked on the doors of the world, no country was prepared for it in terms of resources, capability and mental toughness. We all have seen that in such difficult times, yoga has become a great source of inner strength,” he said.

“At times, the lives of people exist in silos. These divisions reflect in the overall personality as well. The shift from silos to union is yoga. A proven way to experience a realization of oneness is yoga,” he said adding that this year’s theme for International Yoga Day “Yoga for wellness” had raised the morale of the people.

He added his wishes for good health of every country, society and individual, and hoped that everyone “will be united and will strengthen each other.”
“Indian Navy personnel on mission deployed warships in the true spirit of #YogaDay #YogaforWellness carry out Yoga on the high seas across the Indian Ocean region and beyond” said a post from the Indian Navy with pictures of service personnel performing asanas on the deck of INS Airavat deployed in Vietnam’s Camranh Bay.
Personnel aboard the Indian warship Kiltan, deployed off the coast of Vladivostok in Russia, also performed exercises on the deck of the ship, according to pictures released by the Indian Navy.

In the Himalayas, members of the paramilitary Indo-Tibetan Border Police performed exercises in Ladakh along the banks of Pangong Tso lake, according to pictures on Twitter.

Twitter also had posts of Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe performing a headstand to mark Yoga Day.

“Our sincere gratitude to @PresRajapaksa,Hon’ble PM, and Madam Shiranthi Rajapaksa for this inspiring glimpse of one of your #yoga sessions. Millions of #yoga enthusiasts will continue to be enthused to see you make Yoga a part of your lives. Respect,” said a Twitter post from the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka that was accompanied by a picture of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa practicing yoga.

“Yoga can play a significant role in promoting both physical & mental well-being, especially for those facing social isolation & emotional distress as a result of the (covid-19) pandemic,” said a post from the United Nations’ Twitter handle of the ancient Indian wellness discipline.

“From Japan to Niger to Spain to the U.S. ! Indian Missions across the globe celebrate the 7th #InternationalDayOfYoga” said a Twitter post from Indian foreign ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi.

Unlike the previous year people have observed this year’s yoga day with more enthusiasm. Thanks to the vaccination drive and tens of thousands of people across the world performed the exercises at beaches and town squares to neighbourhood parks as well as in the isolation of their homes.