Kolkata, June 21 (UNI) He performed yoga drills with grace and effortless ease, rectified the poses of amateur participants, and gave tips for healthy living – Prime Minister Narendra Modi literally led from the front at the central celebration here on the occasion of the 12th International Yoga Day.
The Prime Minister, who arrived at the arterial Indira Gandhi Sarani (erstwhile Red Road, famed for hosting military parades and carnivals) at 6:30 am, remained relaxed and jovial throughout his 75-minute stay.
Sporting a white half-sleeved collared shirt, informal white trousers, dark sunglasses and a saffron shoulder scarf dotted with mandala and floral motifs, Modi seemed to be relishing every minute of the grand celebrations on a cool Sunday morning.
Over 35,000 people from all corners of society had gathered at the venue to perform the ancient Indian practice that aims to control one’s physical and mental faculties, achieving synchronisation between the body and the mind.
Welcomed with the beating of dhaak (drums), chhou dances and other cultural offerings typical of Bengal, Modi performed some Yogi postures as per the Common Yoga protocol. While some of them were standing postures, the others he displayed while sitting. The Prime Minister, a fitness freak, is known for his rigorous morning exercise regimen throughout the year. His yoga display today, executed with finesse, perfect control and rhythm, bore out all that.
Later, the PM walked down the area watching others busy in their yoga routines.
He also spontaneously went to some of the participants and corrected their postures.
With “Yoga and Healthy Ageing” being the theme of this year’s celebrations —— the Prime Minister, during his address, underscored that Yoga was a must not only for the elderly, but for people of all age groups.
“Yoga teaches us to know our body and mind throughout our lives.”
Giving his tips on ageing, he said, “Our aim should be to be more flexible when we turn 40 than we were when we were 20. We should aim to be more enterprising in our 50s than we were in our 30s.”
“Yoga helps our body stay flexible and keeps us calm and free from pressure. It brings balance in our lives. We have to make yoga a part of our lives,” said Modi. UNI SSP NST