Srinagar’s Dal Lake provided a wonderful setting for this year's programme, reflecting perfect harmony with nature, PM Modi said
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations on Friday (June 21, 2024) morning from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The event garnered massive national and global attention, significantly due to its picturesque location.
 
The yoga event took place on the banks of Srinagar's Dal Lake, at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex (SKICC). This year's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," emphasizes yoga's vital role in fostering individual well-being and social harmony.
 
Moderate to heavy rain was reported throughout the Kashmir Valley, including around Dal Lake. Due to the rain, PM Modi performed various yoga asanas in an indoor hall, accompanied by a reduced number of guests.
 
The 30-minute yoga session, originally scheduled to begin at 7 am, was delayed because of the rain but saw enthusiastic participation. Notable attendees included Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and Ayush Minister Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav.
 
“Dal Lake in Srinagar provided a wonderful setting for this year's Yoga Day programme, reflecting perfect harmony with nature. The rains did not dampen the spirit of the countless people gathered there. Here are some glimpses,” Prime Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter, as he shared images of the event.
 
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said that Friday’s spectacle of enthusiasm and commitment shown by the people of Jammu & Kashmir towards yoga will be immortalized in the minds of people. He underlined that the rainy weather conditions leading to a fall in the temperature failed to dampen the spirit of the people, even though the International Yoga Day program was delayed and had to be fragmented into 2-3 parts.
 
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the importance of yoga in becoming an instinct of life for self and society and said that the benefits of yoga can be reaped when it gets associated with daily life and takes a simpler form.
 
Over the years, PM Modi has led Yoga Day celebrations at various iconic locations, such as Delhi's Kartavya Path, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, and Jabalpur. Last year, he led the events at the UN Headquarters in New York, drawing significant global attention to the Srinagar programme.
 
This marks PM Modi's first visit to the state after being elected for a historic third term. During an event for young people at the SKICC on Thursday (June 20, 2024) evening, he mentioned that assembly polls and statehood for Jammu and Kashmir are "not far off."
 
Thousands of people worldwide participated in the 10th International Day of Yoga, practicing the ancient physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that originated in India. The United Nations declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga in December 2014 to raise global awareness of yoga's benefits.
 
Across the globe, people gathered to attempt various yoga poses, meditate, and practice breathing exercises, all focusing on this year's theme, "Yoga for Self and Society," which highlights the harmony of mind and body with a holistic approach to health and well-being.
 
The International Day of Yoga continues to unite individuals across the world, promoting a message of peace, health, and holistic well-being. This year's celebrations underscore yoga's enduring appeal and its potential to foster both personal and societal harmony.