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In the Modi Government, ‘informal instruction’ typically means ‘get it done’. And celebrating the inaugural International Yoga Day was one such proposal for everyone — not just in the public sector, but also private.
Almost all wings of the government joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a yoga session here on Sunday morning, and similar such events took place across the country — from the icy heights of Siachen Glacier to the humid beaches of Kanyakumari — led by senior ministers.
From students and defence officials to senior bureaucrats and the President, every one twisted and turned, except the Opposition, which alleged that the Modi government had used the Day for political mileage without doing anything substantial to promote yoga.
The largest of spectacles unfolded early morning on the imposing Rajpath, where Modi, whose call led to declaration of June 21 as International Day of Yoga by the UN, sprang a surprise as he performed various asanas and pranayams with over 35,000 people. The Rajpath event made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest yoga demonstration at a single venue with 35,985 people participating. It also set a new record for the largest number of people of various nationalities — 84 — performing yoga at one place.
An avid yoga practitioner, 64-year-old Modi, who was not scheduled to perform the asanas, climbed down from the podium after his address to the gathering and joined others along the boulevard. US Ambassador to India Richard Verma was among scores of diplomats who attended the mega event.
Don’t commoditise yoga Later, addressing a two-day international conference on yoga for holistic health, Modi said, “If we make yoga a commodity, then maximum damage to it will be done by us. Yoga is not a commodity, yoga is not a brand which has to be sold.”
Under attack from Congress for “usurping” the traditional discipline, Modi said yoga is “not the brainchild of a government” or the UN but a gift from many generations and many traditions from across the world. He cautioned against oneupmanship on the ancient practice, saying it belongs to all countries and all communities.
The International Yoga Day was observed the world over — from Australia to the UK and China to Afghanistan.
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