Home > Topics > International Yoga Day 2017

International Yoga Day 2017

June 21 was recognised as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations in 2014. It all started on September 27 three years ago when Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that June 21, the Longest Day of the Year in the Northern Hemisphere, should be made the International Day of Yoga. In his address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Narendra Modi said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in well being. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.” History of International Yoga Day: How PM Narendra Modi started journey of the spiritual practice from the United Nations!

FROM A PROPOSAL TO AN INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED DAY

It was just a proposal but the UNGA considered the initiation of the spiritual practice around the world and decided to bestow it with the significance it deserves in the form of the International Yoga Day. In the initial stage before June 21 was recognised as the International Yoga Day, informal consultations on the draft resolution entitled “International Day of Yoga” was held on October 14, 2014. Two months later, on December 11, India’s Permanent Representative Asoke Mukherji introduced the draft resolution in UNGA. The draft received the support from 177 Member States who sponsored the text, which was adopted without a vote. While this initiative found support in many global leaders, 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution, the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.

WHY UNITED NATIONS ADOPTED IT

(a) Noting the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.

(b) Underscoring the fact that global health is a long-term development objective that requires closer international cooperation through the exchange of best practices aimed at building better individual lifestyles devoid of excesses of all kinds.

(d) Recognizing also that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population.

WHY JUNE 21

One of the reasons why Narendra Modi proposed the day of June 21 as International Yoga Day is because it is the longest day in a year. June 21, as the longest day, holds significance in may parts of the world.

From the perspective of yoga, the summer solstice marks the transition to Dakshinayana. Dakshinayana is the six-month period between the Summer solstice and Winter solstice. The first full moon after the Summer solstice is known as Guru Poornima. Dakshinayana is also considered a time when there is a natural support for those pursuing spiritual practices such as Yoga.

Lord Shiva is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the mankind on this day. What is Yoga, its history, relevance and how International Yoga Day came into being.

The United Nations declared June 21 as the International Yoga Day on December 11, 2014. The first International Yoga Day function held on June 21, 2015, at Rajpath in the national capital witnessed Narendra Modi performing Yoga along with over 200 million people across the country and over 37,000 people in Delhi alone. The second edition was held in Chandigarh with the participation of over 30,000 people in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Text by Chanchal Chauhan.

Rajyavardhan Rathore Slams Shashi Tharoor, Says No Money Was Spent on Making PM Modi's Fitness Challenge Video
India.com News Desk | July 2, 2018 7:39 PM IST
New Delhi, July 2: I&B minister Rajyavardhan Rathore on Monday slammed Congress leader Shashi Tharoo...
Rajyavardhan Rathore Slams Shashi Tharoor, Says No Money Was Spent on Making PM Modi's Fitness Challenge Vide
indiacom
2018-07-02T08:39:50+00:00
2018-07-02T08:46:49+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Noida Man Posts Ramdev’s Morphed Picture in WhatsApp Group on International Yoga Day, Arrested
India.com News Desk | June 24, 2018 7:17 AM IST
New Delhi, June 24: Noida police have arrested a 40-year old man for posting yoga guru Ramdev's morp...
Noida Man Posts Ramdev’s Morphed Picture in WhatsApp Group on International Yoga Day, Arrested
indiacom
2018-06-23T20:17:14+00:00
2018-06-23T20:17:14+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Ex Bigg Boss Contestant Hina Khan Shares Pictures on International Yoga Day; Gets Trolled
Aakriti Ganguly | June 22, 2018 12:28 AM IST
To mark the fourth edition of International Yoga Day, people from all over the world shared their lo...
Ex Bigg Boss Contestant Hina Khan Shares Pictures on International Yoga Day; Gets Trolled
indiacom
2018-06-21T13:28:09+00:00
2018-06-21T13:43:22+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Bigg Boss Fame Hina Khan Shows Off Her Sexy Curves While Practicing Yoga; Check Pictures
Aakriti Ganguly | June 21, 2018 9:03 PM IST
We are completely in awe of Hina Khan . She is perhaps one of the hottest, fashionable and most styl...
Bigg Boss Fame Hina Khan Shows Off Her Sexy Curves While Practicing Yoga; Check Pictures
indiacom
2018-06-21T10:03:36+00:00
2018-06-21T10:03:36+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Baba Ramdev And More Than 1.05 Lakh Yoga Enthusiasts Make it to Guinness Book of World Records
India.com Buzz Desk | June 21, 2018 7:23 PM IST
To mark International Yoga Day today, Yoga Guru Ramdev, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje Scindia and m...
International Yoga Day 2018: Baba Ramdev And More Than 1.05 Lakh Yoga Enthusiasts Make it to Guinness Book of
indiacom
2018-06-21T08:23:58+00:00
2018-06-21T08:24:29+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: How The Day Was Celebrated Across The World
India.com News Desk | June 21, 2018 7:11 PM IST
New Delhi, June 21: The fourth edition of the International Yoga Day 2018 was celebrated with much e...
International Yoga Day 2018: How The Day Was Celebrated Across The World
indiacom
2018-06-21T08:11:30+00:00
2018-06-21T08:12:00+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Olympic Medallist Sushil Kumar Shares Mat With Baba Ramdev
India.com Sports Desk | June 21, 2018 6:45 PM IST
Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar on Thursday performed yoga with Baba Ramdev on the occasion ...
International Yoga Day 2018: Olympic Medallist Sushil Kumar Shares Mat With Baba Ramdev
indiacom
2018-06-21T07:45:10+00:00
2018-06-21T07:45:10+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Virender Sehwag Again Goes Cheeky On Twitter, Like Baba Ramdev Says 'Yoga Se Hi Hoga'
India.com Sports Desk | June 21, 2018 11:51 AM IST
Just like he was famous for his unusual batting style, former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is now w...
International Yoga Day 2018: Virender Sehwag Again Goes Cheeky On Twitter, Like Baba Ramdev Says 'Yoga Se Hi
indiacom
2018-06-21T00:51:54+00:00
2018-06-21T07:24:37+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
PM Modi to Inaugurate Essel Group's YO1 Wellness Centre in US on International Yoga Day
India.com News Desk | June 21, 2018 1:51 PM IST
New York: On International Yoga Day, PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate US first and biggest Nature Cu...
PM Modi to Inaugurate Essel Group's YO1 Wellness Centre in US on International Yoga Day
indiacom
2018-06-21T02:51:58+00:00
2018-06-21T06:33:37+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Shilpa Shetty Kundra: Yoga is a Science and Art That is Performed By the Body, but Actually Sates our Soul
India.com Entertainment Desk | June 21, 2018 3:38 PM IST
If there is anything that is synonymous with Shilpa Shetty Kundra , it's yoga. The actress has been ...
Shilpa Shetty Kundra: Yoga is a Science and Art That is Performed By the Body, but Actually Sates our Soul
indiacom
2018-06-21T04:38:44+00:00
2018-06-21T04:39:02+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Incorporate Yoga Into Your Daily Routine, Says Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
ANI | June 21, 2018 2:44 PM IST
On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rajyavardhan S...
International Yoga Day 2018: Incorporate Yoga Into Your Daily Routine, Says Union Minister of Youth Affairs a
indiacom
2018-06-21T03:44:26+00:00
2018-06-21T03:46:53+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018 Updates: Haldwani Locals Perform Yoga at Trenching Ground Near Gola Bypass, Demand to Shift it
India.com News Desk | June 21, 2018 6:43 AM IST
Thu, 21 Jun 2018 01:22:43 pmhttps://twitter.com/ANI/status/1009704979760910336Thu, 21 Jun 2018 01:13...
International Yoga Day 2018 Updates: Haldwani Locals Perform Yoga at Trenching Ground Near Gola Bypass, Deman
indiacom
2018-06-20T19:43:04+00:00
2018-06-21T02:53:09+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Ayurveda And Yoga: Twin Paths to One Goal
India.com News Desk | June 21, 2018 1:24 PM IST
Yoga is a Sanskrit word that means to join or to link or to combine. Although, the word can be used ...
Ayurveda And Yoga: Twin Paths to One Goal
indiacom
2018-06-21T02:24:17+00:00
2018-06-21T02:24:17+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
19-Year-Old Girl Breaks Record, Performs Surya Namaskar 3737 Times in 11 Hours
Taru Bhatia | June 21, 2018 11:58 AM IST
A 19-year-old girl named Sarita who hails from Bhiwani district of Haryana has broken all records af...
19-Year-Old Girl Breaks Record, Performs Surya Namaskar 3737 Times in 11 Hours
indiacom
2018-06-21T00:58:19+00:00
2018-06-21T01:42:47+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Rajnath, Naik, Yogi Lead Yoga Day Celebrations in UP
IANS Feeds | June 21, 2018 10:33 AM IST
Lucknow, June 21: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minis...
Rajnath, Naik, Yogi Lead Yoga Day Celebrations in UP
indiacom
2018-06-20T23:33:41+00:00
2018-06-20T23:33:41+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
Rajnath Singh, Ram Naik, Yogi Adityanath Lead Yoga Day Celebrations in UP
IANS Feeds | June 21, 2018 10:15 AM IST
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanat...
Rajnath Singh, Ram Naik, Yogi Adityanath Lead Yoga Day Celebrations in UP
indiacom
2018-06-20T23:15:03+00:00
2018-06-20T23:15:03+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Amazing Sand Art at Puri Beach in Odisha Will Inspire You
Travel Staff | June 21, 2018 9:55 AM IST
[caption id="attachment_88188" align="alignnone" width="625"] Sunset in Puri beach[/caption] June 21...
International Yoga Day 2018: Amazing Sand Art at Puri Beach in Odisha Will Inspire You
indiacom
2018-06-20T22:55:51+00:00
2018-06-20T22:55:51+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Amazing Sand Art at Puri Beach in Odisha Will Inspire You
Travel Staff | June 21, 2018 9:55 AM IST
June 21 us celebrated as International Yoga Day. On this day, people from all over the world get tog...
International Yoga Day 2018: Amazing Sand Art at Puri Beach in Odisha Will Inspire You
indiacom
2018-06-20T22:55:51+00:00
2018-06-20T22:55:51+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Twitterati Share Glimpses of People Performing Yoga From All Over The World
Taru Bhatia | June 21, 2018 9:19 AM IST
The world is celebrating International Yoga Day today, and people from all over the world are seen p...
International Yoga Day 2018: Twitterati Share Glimpses of People Performing Yoga From All Over The World
indiacom
2018-06-20T22:19:53+00:00
2018-06-20T22:43:20+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com
International Yoga Day 2018: Yoga Keeps These Bollywood Celebs in Perfect Shape
Kritika Vaid | June 20, 2018 1:21 PM IST
Yoga is not just for the body, it is for the mind as well and Bollywood actors have sworn by yoga fo...
International Yoga Day 2018: Yoga Keeps These Bollywood Celebs in Perfect Shape
indiacom
2018-06-20T02:21:19+00:00
2018-06-20T22:12:06+00:00
International Yoga Day 2017
India.com