OM-AZING! Indian Prime Minister Launches International Yoga Day with 35,000 People
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi did something amazing and rare for a high ranking politician like himself yesterday; he launched the very first World Yoga Day and practiced yoga with 35,000 people!
The yogis took their place on their mats spread across the parking lot of a Delhi mall, which NPR says represents "the nerve center of power" in India. The event for the International Yoga Day attracted many local and international guests; including Guinness World Records observers and the U.S. Ambassador Richard Verma.
One yogi among the crowd, Urmisha Nandi, who works for the Home Affairs Ministry said Yoga was India's "hidden treasure," and added "It is very healthy and helpful also because we are nearing the age of 40s, and at this age we need it badly," NPR reported.
Prime Minister Modi, on the other hand, reportedly said that there was more to yoga than just physical fitness and flexibility, and continued, "If that were so, circus performers would be yogis. Bending your body and being flexible is not yoga." He added that the event was meant to represent "human welfare, stress-free living, and a message of love, peace and harmony."
During the 35-minute mass yoga session, big screens showed instructors' moves who lead the crowd in both English and Hindi. Modi was wearing a scarf with colors of the Indian flag on it, sitting in the front and center of the crowd.
Modi promised to advance India to the world stage when he came to power and some think that is what he accomplished with International Yoga Day, and he made India proud. On the other hand though, his opposition thinks that Modi was just using yoga to draw attention to himself, reported NPR.
