The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has said that Yoga is a holistic approach towards health and well-being with physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions to it. Addressing the gathering while participating in the International Day of Yoga 2018 celebrations, in Mumbai today, he said that the ancient science of Yoga is India’s invaluable gift to the modern world. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Shri Devendra Fadnavis and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.Quoting Sage Patanjali who compiled the first yoga philosophy, the Vice President said that Yoga helps a person to control his or her own random thoughts and allows achieving stillness, a calmness that creates inner harmony.The Vice President said that Yoga has nothing to do with religion and it is a holistic science embodying the basic principle of organic, interconnectedness of different facets of life. It is unfortunate that some people attribute religious overtones to this ancient scientific system, he added.
The Vice President called on people to make Yoga a part of daily routine to combat modern day health problems. He said that the time has come to introduce yoga as part of school curriculum so that India becomes a nation of healthy and happy people in the coming years.The Vice President Yoga promotes concentration and focused attention. Apart from enhancing physical and mental agility, Yoga practice makes a person to adopt a balanced attitude towards life at all times, he added.Outlining the importance of Yoga in daily life, the Vice President said that the worrisome trend of youngsters resorting to extreme steps like ending their lives can be curbed if they develop sense of equanimity and calmness of mind, which can be developed through yoga and meditation.