DEHRADUN, June 21 - Prime Minister Narendra Modi today performed yoga with over 50,000 enthusiasts at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus here and said the ancient Indian discipline has emerged as a �powerful unifying� force in a strife-torn world.
Addressing a large gathering with the British-era FRI building in the backdrop, Modi said yoga has shown the world the way from �illness to wellness� and enriching lives across the globe.
He said, in fact, yoga has become the biggest mass movement across the globe in the quest for good health and wellbeing, which is crucial to the creation of a peaceful world.
Modi said apart from being an art of holistic health, yoga had the power to unite people and countries, and pave the way for universal brotherhood. �When disintegrating forces gain prominence it is yoga that unites, creates amity in societies... It has become a powerful unifying force,� he added.
The Prime Minister said the proposal for a International Day for Yoga at the UN was accepted in record time with a majority of nations supporting it. �The proposal was passed by the UN in the shortest time which is a record in its history,� he said.
Today, people all over the world have come to look upon yoga as something which belongs to them, Modi said. He also asked the people to learn to honour their own legacy and heritage if they wanted the rest of the world to respect them.
Modi said yoga presents a ray of hope for future of the world. Yoga is beautiful because it is ancient yet modern, and it is constantly evolving, he said. �India�s legacy of which yoga is a significant part is unique and rich. We must take pride in it,� he said.
Modi had arrived here last night to participate in the main event on the fourth International Yoga Day. � PTI
