International Yoga Day 2024, 21st June: International Yoga Day is celebrated on June 21st every year and this year marks the 10th anniversary of the day. The theme of International Yoga Day 2024 is ‘Yoga for Self and Society’. Let us know more about the day and how it came into existence.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the idea of this day on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly. PM Modi made a compelling case for embracing yoga, detailing its ancient significance and highlighting its potential to promote global health and peace. He argued that practicing yoga is essential for anyone seeking to achieve a sense of oneness with themselves, the world, and nature.
“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 the nature,” said PM Narendra Modi in the past.
The United Nations officially announced and marked the date soon after PM Modi’s speech. On December 11, 2014, UN marked the 21st of June of every year as International Yoga Day. It was in 2015 that the first International Yoga Day was celebrated.
It is interesting to note that on the first anniversary of International Yoga Day, it was the day of summer solstice, marking the longest day and shortest night of the year. The summer solstice is often positively connoted as people view this as the time for renewal, new beginnings, and growth.
This year as well, like every other year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a yoga session. He will be in Srinagar this year to mark the year. This day is also celebrated at the UN Headquarters in New York.