"Began people's movement worldwide": Bansuri Swaraj lauds PM Modi's efforts in promoting yoga

India Gazette

21-06-2025

New Delhi [India],June 21 (ANI): BJP MP from Delhi, Bansuri Swaraj on Saturday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts in promoting yoga globally, starting with the proposal for International Yoga Day in 2014 at the United Nations.
Swaraj joined thousands of people at Delhi's Purana Qila to celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day, highlighting the significance of this ancient practice in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
She performed yoga alongside several enthusiasts under the guidance of Yogacharya Tanmay Gaud. The event was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture and featured a large turnout from across the city.
'I extend greetings to all on the occasion of International Yoga Day. When PM Modi put forth the resolution for this International Yoga Day in 2014, he began a people's movement worldwide in this regard,' she said while speaking to ANI.
She also expressed gratitude to Guruji Tanmay Gaud and appreciated the Ministry of Culture for hosting the session at a heritage site like the Old Fort, linking India's ancient wisdom with contemporary practice.
Swaraj highlighted that yoga is not just a physical discipline but a holistic practice that connects the body and soul, drawing from the core of Indian philosophy.
Speaking on this year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', Swaraj said it reflects the need for harmony not only within individuals but also with nature. 'Today, the Prime Minister has rightly said that this theme is about global balance--about aligning mankind with nature, and moving from inner peace to global peace,' she added.
Emphasising the significance of June 21, which is the longest day of the year, she said it symbolises the light and energy that yoga brings into our lives.
Yoga Guru Acharya Tanmay Gaud, leading the session, said his organisation Nirvana Yogadham conducted yoga programs across various Archaeological Survey of India sites in Delhi to mark the occasion.
'We taught yoga to hundreds at Purana Qila today. Yoga is not just movement--it's a tradition and treasure that has guided humanity for millennia,' he said.
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, he added, 'Yoga is not just about flexibility of the body, but about living life skillfully. Lord Krishna said in the Gita: 'Yogah karmasu kausalam'--Yoga is excellence in action. It is a path to experience joy and uncover our true self.'
Meanwhile, 2121 participants held the cobra pose for two minutes and nine seconds while performing yoga in Gujarat's Vadnagar on Saturday and achieved the Guinness World Record.
According to Richard Stunning, official adjudicator at Guinness World Records, a record with a title for the most people performing the cobra pose in yoga began on Saturday. The minimum number of participants for the record was 250; they had to hold the Yoga Cobra pose for at least a minute.
A total of 2184 participants breached the one-minute timeline; they ended up holding the cobra pose for two minutes and nine seconds. The Guinness World Records discounted 64 participants, after which 2121 participants held the cobra pose for two minutes and nine seconds to clinch the Guinness World Record.
'The Guinness World Records title that starts today is the most people performing the cobra pose in yoga, simultaneously. We set a guideline that everyone had to do it for at least a minute each, and we set a minimum target of 250 participants. Today, they did it for more than a minute, they did it for two minutes and nine seconds, and the total was 2185. We had to discount 64 participants. So the confirmed title is 2121 participants. Given we set a minimum of 250, this is smashing the Guinness World Record. Congratulations to everyone involved, and it's a fantastic achievement', Richard Stunning told ANI.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the main national event on the 11th International Yoga Day from Visakhapatnam. (ANI)