The International Yoga Day programme at Rajpath led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File Photograph)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he was overwhelmed by the global response to the International Yoga Day, which was observed on June 21.
"Which Indian will not be proud of the way the world recognised Yoga," he said. "People of France chose to do Yoga at Eiffel tower, people of New York at Times Square..."
The event, he said, joined everyone regardless of age, gender of economic status. "I do now know how the intellectual class or the elite will interpret this," he said, adding the spotlight on Yoga Day has drawn the world's eyes towards India. "The world is keen to know more about India, our values, our traditions, our culture,"
The government has been projecting the United Nation's acceptance of International Yoga Day as an affirmation of India's growing stature in world stage and its soft power. Altogether 177 countries had supported the idea and on June 21, programmes were held across 192 countries to mark the occasion. The biggest demonstartion was held on Delhi's Rajpath, led by PM Modi, in which over 35,000 people participated.
Today, the Prime Minister indicated that the event will also have an unexpected spin-off -- job opportunities for the youth.
"The success of #YogaDay has another aspect - the world needs good Yoga teachers... I ask the professional class and the youth to boost yoga online and prepare a database for trained teachers," he said.
The success of the International Yoga Day, he said, also demonstrated the willingness of the people to work for the country.
"There is AYUSH department but it never drew much attention. On Yoga Day it was the AYUSH department that led the way," he said. He also mentioned the efforts the armed forces put in - observing the day from the heights of Siachen to under the sea in submarines.