Thousands joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to celebrate the second International Yoga Day, performing postures of the ancient discipline across the country.
Addressing people at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh before a mass yoga session, Modi said people in all parts of the nation people have been connected to yoga. He announced two awards — international-level and national-level — for good work on yoga. He said the awards will be given to the recipients on the next Yoga Day.
At least 7,000 security personnel, including 4,000 paramilitary jawans and 3,000 officers of Chandigarh Police, are guarding the venue. The Union Territory administration, along with Ayush ministry, spent over Rs 14 crore on the event and the four-day yoga festival held in different areas of Chandigarh.
As Modi performs yoga along with thousands of people at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh, 57 of his cabinet colleagues lead this year’s programmes that include mass yoga events, workshops and seminars in other cities across the country. Around 10 ministers are in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh to lead these programmes.
The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in December 2014. Over 190 countries, including 40 Islamic nations, supported the move to have a special day for yoga.
