The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Yoga is a holistic approach to well-being which has physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions. He was addressing the inaugural session of the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand today. The Governor of Uttarakhand, Dr. Krishan Kant Paul, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.The Vice President said that the science of yoga is ancient yet timeless and this knowledge can be applied to make our contemporary lives better, healthier and happier. He further said that the emphasis on the physical exercises emerged around the 11th century AD in a branch of yoga called Hatha yoga and these exercises have gained world-wide importance and prominence over the years. We felt that this treasure house of knowledge should be shared with the entire world, as this ancient science of Yoga is India’s invaluable gift to the modern world, he added.
The Vice President said that the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan is a true testament to the power and the universal popularity of Yoga and its capacity bring people together from every corner of the world. He further said that Sage Patanjali who compiled the first yoga philosophy defines yoga as an ability to control one’s own random thoughts and achieve a stillness, a calmness that creates inner harmony. Yoga also helps in the spiritual quest of an individual through understanding of the inner self and achieving complete peace with the surroundings, he added.The Vice President said that Yoga should become a part and parcel of our daily routine to combat the modern-day health problems, both physical and mental. He further said that Yoga is a holistic system in which the mind and body act in unison and get completely rejuvenated. Yoga aims to help us to achieve a state of equilibrium when we are at peace with ourselves so that we can create a peaceful environment around us, he added.