Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition: Narendra Modi

India is all set to carve out a niche in annals of history on June 21 by holding the biggest-ever open air yoga camp with maximum number of international community members on the sprawling lawns of Rajpath.

Official machinery is working overtime to impart final touches to the strategy to ensure influx of volunteers at the venue by 0600 hrs sharp irrespective of any hindrance- pre-monsoon showers, security hazards, transportation hiccups, check ups at the entry points. All eyes will be riveted towards India, basking in the glory of prevailing on the United Nations to celebrate June 21 as World Yoga day, as the international community looks towards New Delhi show following the country’s expertise in the age old science of yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent interview to UNI it should be matter of pride for any Indian that India proposed before UN the idea of the International Yoga Day.

The proposal was supported by as many as 177 countries for the first time in the history of UNO (United Nations Organisation) and the resolution is passed within 100 days. Mr Modi, in his first year in office, addressed the 69th session of UNGA on September 27, 2014 and urged the international community to celebrate Yoga day. On December 11, the 193-member UNGA approved the proposal by consensus with a record 177 countries, including 47 Muslim nation co-sponsors, clearing a resolution to establish June 21 as 'International Yoga Day.'

People in 176 countries are expected to join the session by replicating the movements. Indian Missions abroad are coordinating rehearsals. More than 250 cities across six continents in the world will perform Yoga to mark the first International Yoga day, with Mr Modi leading the nation, along with 35,000 yogis at Rajpath and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj representing India at the UN in New York.

Ms Swaraj says Indians across 650 districts and 192 out of 193 countries of the globe will take part in Yoga events being planned to celebrate the Day, with Yemen being the only exception because of war situation. "Our embassy has been shifted to Dijbouti from Yemen and this is the reason that we have left out only one country," Ms Swaraj said. "The Prime Minister will not perform Yoga," Ms Swaraj said, adding that he will make a graceful presence during the function at Rajpath, where the entire stretch from Vijay Chowk to India Gate will turn into a Yoga mat.

More than 7,000 copies of coffee table books and 19,000 reference books on Yoga have been sent to Indian Missions abroad. Sources have indicated that about 30,000 volunteers, including disciples of the dozens of Yoga gurus, will descend on the Rajpath lawns to take part in the day. Tightest ever security paraphernalia will be mounted with air cover by the Indian Air Force to thwart any disruptive design. Security, sources said, will be on lines of the Republic day and Independence day celebrations. Tight vigil is being mounted at airports, railway stations ,bus stations and other crowded areas. Mr Modi’s entire cabinet is likely to take part in the mega session, expected to be attended by celebrities , school children, politicians, bureaucrats and 'Aam Aadmi.'

Bollywood personalities, known for their yoga exercises, are expected to take part in the mega show. Teeming multitude of people will do a 35-minute session of 15 Asanas at the Rajpath.

The event has been registered in the Guinness book of records , under the largest yoga demonstration /45000 at a single venue. The record book officials are closely monitoring developments as the event may eclipse previous records participation in such event and biggest assembly in a single yoga class. The record was held by Kanyakumari-based NGO, the Vivekanand Kendra at Jiwaji University, Gwalior,on November 19,2005. There were 29,973 participants. Guinness Book of records has set a benchmark of 50 nations participation for another record, and authorities feel this feat would be accomplished as close to 45 have already confirmed the participation. Adjuduicators will be present at the site to oversee the turnouts.

According to officials of the ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH ) are trying to create records but rules are stringent. The officials say the biggest challenge is to ensure the turnout much before 0600 hrs. Guinness book of records panelists are insistent on the fact that every entry should be bar coded and decoded. The event takes off at 6.45 am for 35 minutes with crisp 15 popular asans .

A large Led screen will be put in place to highlight motions of various exercises which include Muktasana, Makarasana, Kapalbhati, Pranayam, and meditation. The Programme starts with Rigveda invocation. Similar events are being organised in various cities in different countries including Beijing, Budapest, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Port Louis, Paris, Jakarta, Berlin, Dublin, Tallinn and Bogota. UNI correspondents have found that the IYD ( International Yoga day) is spreading across the country and at most of the places, preparations are underway for the day. Even in mofussil places, message is loud and clear to observe the day. Locals in NCR region said they would observe with festive fervour and gaiety with no political strings attached.

Many were of the firm opinion that the government must ensure that no coercive tactics are used for participation in Yoga program me. They linked it with religious sentiments, but people in general have rubbished grotesque comments .

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body: throught and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well being,” Mr Modi told UNGA, setting the tone for the international day proposal.

Yoga is widely considered as an “immortal cultural outcome” of the Indus Sarsawati Valley civilization –dating back to 2700 BC –and has proven itself to cater to both material and spiritual uplift of humanity. A number of seals and fossil remains of Indus Sarsawati Valley civilization with yogic motifs and figures performing yoga sadhana suggest the presence of yoga in ancient India.