International Yoga Day 2024 Highlights: PM Modi Shares 'Post Yoga Selfies In Srinagar'

People across the world are observing the tenth International Yoga Day today, with events and activities to take place to promote the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of the practice. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of yoga in everyday life. The Sanskrit term "yoga" means "to unite" or "to join", symbolising the connection between body and mind. This ancient practice has become an integral part of modern wellness routines, fostering strength, resilience, and overall well-being.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar today. "On 21st June, at around 6.30 AM, the prime minister will participate in the 10th International Day of Yoga event at SKICC in Srinagar.

"The Prime Minister will address the gathering on the occasion and take part in the CYP Yoga session thereafter," an official handout from the Press Information Bureau said. 

Stringent multi-layer security arrangements have been put in place for the Prime Minister's two-day visit to Kashmir. More than 7,000 participants will join him in performing Yoga on Friday on the banks of picturesque Dal Lake, PTI reported.

Every year, International Yoga Day chooses a different theme to centre the festivities and events around a different facet of yoga. 2024's theme is "Yoga for Self and Society." 

Although yoga has its roots in ancient India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of an International Day of Yoga during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2014. The UN General Assembly subsequently passed a resolution in December 2014, declaring June 21st as International Yoga Day. 

While addressing the 69th session of the UNGA, the prime minister had said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature." 

Suggesting June 21, which is the Summer Solstice, as the International Day of Yoga, Modi had said: "The date is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and has special significance in many parts of the world.”

Over three hundred people from across Israel rolled out yoga mats and performed asanas as they participated in International Yoga Day celebrations at the Peres Centre for Peace and Innovation in Tel Aviv.

First Lady Michal Herzog was the chief guest at the main International Yoga Day event on Thursday. A series of events were held across the country.

The event was organised by the Embassy of India in Israel in association with the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Israel.

Indian Army personnel perform Yoga in icy heights on the northern frontier on International Yoga Day 2024.

Watch here:

International Yoga Day 2024 Live Updates: As part of the 10th International Yoga Day celebrations, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandi Ben Patel participated in a yoga session.

In a video shared by the news agency ANI, Adityanath was observed donning a saffron T-shirt and dhoti, while the Governor appeared in a white chudidar.

International Yoga Day 2024 Live Updates: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Army chief Gen Manoj Pande and others perform Yoga in Delhi, on the occasion of International Day of Yoga.

International Yoga Day 2024 Live Updates: Heavy rain has disrupted the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Srinagar, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to attend the event at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre.

Over 7,000 people were expected to join Modi in a yoga session on the banks of Dal Lake.

International Yoga Day 2024 Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is in Jammu and Kashmir for a two-day visit is leading the Yoga day celebrations there. At the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) on the banks of Dal Lake, he is addressing those gathered for the occassion.

The main event where the PM is going to perform yoga and address the gathering was slated to begin at 6.30 am, but has been disrupted by heavy rainfall this morning.

Watch LIVE video here:

International Yoga Day 2024 Celebrations Live: PM Modi performs various asanas as he leads the International Yoga Day 2024 event in Srinagar.

Early morning rainfall disrupted International Yoga Day events in Kashmir.

Moderate to heavy rainfall has been reported from across the Valley, making it difficult to hold open-air yoga events, the officials were quoted as saying to PTI.

International Yoga Day 2024 Celebrations Live: Thousands of Yoga enthusiasts and practitioners assembled at the iconic Times Square here for day-long sessions of the ancient Indian practice on the eve of the commemoration of the International Day of Yoga.

The Consulate General of India in New York along with the Times Square Alliance hosted special yoga sessions at Times Square Thursday, the day of the summer solstice, as yoga enthusiasts geared to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, marked every year on June 21.

International Yoga Day 2024 Celebrations Live: Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath participated in the international day’s celebrations across the country

- Union Ministers Pralhad Joshi and BL Verma performed yoga at an event in Delhi on the occasion of the 10th International Day of Yoga on Friday.

- Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also joined the celebrations and performed yoga.

- Army Chief (Designate) Lt General Upendra Dwivedi and others also warmed up as they participated in Yoga Session at Cariappa Parade Ground, on the occasion of International Day of Yoga.

- In Delhi, the Ministry of Ayush has partnered with NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation), ASI (Archaeological Survey of India), and DDA (Delhi Development Authority) to organize mass yoga events.

After Yoga day celebrations in Srinagar, PM Modi clicked selfies. Modi wrote on X: "Post Yoga selfies in Srinagar! Unparalled vibrancy here, at the Dal Lake."

President Murmu wrote on X: "Greetings to the entire global community, especially the fellow citizens of India on International Yoga Day! Yoga is India's unique gift to humanity. In view of rising lifestyle related problems, Yoga has become far more important today. Yoga is a way to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Let us resolve to adopt yoga as an integral part of our day-to-day living."