New Delhi: Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar noted that Yoga brings about the unity of body, mind and soul, and this ancient science not just focusses on the welfare of individuals, but also the well-being of entire humanity.

In this context, he made reference to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s statement, underlining Yoga as “Zero-budget health asssurance”.

Addressing the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh today, the Vice-President emphasized that Yoga is not for a single special day or occasion, but one that should be an integral aspect of people’s daily lives.

Referring to the theme of this year’s International Day of Yoga- ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’- the Vice-President drew attention to the consonance of this theme with that of India’s G20 Presidency, which is ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

The essence of both is a reflection of India’s commitment to unite countries and amplify the message of global peace and friendship, he said.

Lauding the leadership role played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 69^th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in proposing to mark June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, Dhankhar underscored the significance of the fact that the proposal was adopted almost unanimously by 193 countries in the shortest ever time. With India’s efforts, Yoga Day has become a world festival, he underlined.

Highlighting that yoga has been an inalienable facet of India’s cultural and civilizational ethos, the Vice-President recognised its key role in facilitating the progress of the nation. He also expressed his appreciation for the energy and enthusiasm with which countries across the world have been participating in celebrating International Day of Yoga.

Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister for AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal, Padma Bhushan recipient and President of Ram Chandra Mission, ‘Daaji’ Kamlesh Patel, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.