The UN General Assembly on December 11,2014 adopted an India proposed resolution declaring 21 June as “International Yoga Day”, to observe that “yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being.”
The resolution on “International Yoga Day” was proposed by India’s ambassador to UN Asoke Mukerji on December 11,2014 while 175 nations joined as co-sponsors, the highest number recorded for any General Assembly resolution meeting ever. It is also regarded that a resolution was proposed by a country and implemented in the UN body, less than 90 days (Proposed by Narendra Modi on the UN General Assembly speech (UNGA) in September 27, 2014). Modi quoted that “Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well being”, in his UNGA speech.
The resolution was adopted under the agenda of “Global Health and Foreign Policy,” by the 193-member General Assembly to recognise June 21 as International Yoga day or International Day of Yoga.
Yoga is a 5,000-year-old Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice that aims to mold the body and the mind. The UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon in his message thanked for bringing to the attention, the benefits of yoga. He also said that “Yoga is a sport which can actively contribute to the development and peace and also help people in emergency situations to procure relief from stress.”
The UNGA President, Sam Kutesa acknowledged Modi for putting forward the initiative, which received great support which demonstrates how both the visible and unseen benefits of Yoga appeal to the world peoples.
