Modi joins thousands on Int\\\'l Yoga Day

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined thousands of people on Rajpath in capital New Delhi for a mass event marking International Yoga Day on Sunday. It was not only a yogic exercise for health. It was for harmony and peace. An avid yogic, Modi, also the leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), joined the world in celebrating Yoga Day in the morning (Indian Standard time). Addressing the gathering, he said the International Yoga Day on June 21 was the start of a new era for training the human mind for peace and harmony. Meanwhile, army personnel have joined a yoga session on Siachen Glacier, the world’s highest frontline post, on the eve of International Yoga Day. India is leading 191 countries to mark the day with over 35,000 participants expected to perform yoga in Delhi. The event will be streamed live on 2,000 digital screens placed across Rajpath. The day will be observed in over 251 cities in 191 countries across the world and Indian missions and diplomatic posts have made arrangements for the celebrations and other related events. The government has inducted celebrities like actor Amitabh Bachchan and a star cricket player to promote the event. Reflecting concerns among sections of the people, the Congress issued a statement saying the use of “our ancient heritage” as a “divisive and coercive” tool deserves condemnation.The yoga celebrations are being held in the national capital after the UN had in December last year declared June 21 as International Yoga Day with 177 countries voting in favour. The proposal was mooted by the Indian Prime Minister during his first address to the UN General Assembly in September last year, according to PTI.