New Delhi, 21 June (H.S.): On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan said that yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise but a priceless gift from India's ancient wisdom tradition, developed for the welfare of all humanity. He urged people to make yoga an integral part of their daily routine and contribute towards building a healthier, happier and more peaceful society.

Addressing the International Day of Yoga celebrations in Leh, Ladakh, the Vice President said that India's sages and seers developed yoga as a holistic way of life through years of penance, meditation, spiritual discipline and profound exploration. He said yoga not only strengthens and rejuvenates the body but also calms the mind and paves the way for spiritual upliftment.

He stated that yoga serves as an effective means of achieving physical, mental and spiritual development. At a time when the world is facing rising stress, unhealthy lifestyles and growing health challenges, yoga offers humanity a practical and sustainable solution.

The Vice President said that under the visionary leadership and initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has gained unprecedented global recognition. He recalled that Prime Minister Modi's appeal at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 received the support of more than 175 member states, leading to the recognition of June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. He described it as a significant global honour for India's cultural heritage and ancient knowledge tradition.

Referring to this year's theme, Yoga for Healthy Ageing, the Vice President said that improvements in healthcare facilities and increasing life expectancy have led to a steady rise in the elderly population. In such circumstances, he said, it is essential to ensure that people not only live longer but also enjoy healthy, active and dignified lives. Yoga, he added, can play a highly effective role in achieving this objective.

Citing the India Ageing Report 2023, he said that nearly 20 per cent of India's population is expected to comprise senior citizens by 2050. In view of this demographic shift, he stressed the need to transform yoga into a mass movement so that people can maintain good health, mental well-being and a better quality of life as they age.

Highlighting the geographical and cultural uniqueness of Ladakh, the Vice President said that living in high-altitude regions requires endurance, discipline and the ability to adapt to challenging conditions. Yoga, he noted, plays a significant role in developing all these qualities. He added that the people of Ladakh have long exemplified simplicity, patience, resilience and harmonious coexistence with nature, values that are deeply rooted in the philosophy of yoga.

Appreciating the people of Ladakh, he said that during his visit he found them to be peaceful, gentle, compassionate and deeply sensitive towards nature. These qualities, he observed, give Ladakh's culture its distinctive identity. If combined with regular yoga practice, these values can help individuals realise their full potential and achieve greater balance in life.

The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh Vinay Kumar Saxena, Ladakh Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa, Chief Executive Councillor of the Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Council Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, senior military officers, yoga instructors, students, senior citizens and a large number of local residents.

Earlier in the day, the Vice President also visited the Devachan Campus of the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC). He appreciated the institution's contributions in the fields of education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental conservation, yoga and meditation. He said that such institutions play a vital role in bringing about positive social transformation and strengthening human values.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar