Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of International Yoga Day and took part in the Yoga session at an event in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir today.

Addressing the occasion, he recollected how a record 177 countries endorsed India’s proposal for International Yoga Day at the United Nations in 2014. He also conveyed his best wishes on the International Day of Yoga to all citizens and those practicing yoga in different parts of the world.

PM Modi underlined that the number of people practicing yoga is growing worldwide while its attraction is constantly on the rise and asserted that yoga has become a part of daily life in every corner of the world. Talking about the theme of this year’s IYD – ‘Yoga for Self and Society’, he said that the world is looking at yoga as a powerful agent of global good.

“Yoga helps us live in the present moment, without baggage of the past. It connects us with ourselves and our deepest feelings. It brings about oneness of the mind, body and soul. Yoga helps us realise that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us. When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world,” the Prime Minister stated.

PM Modi arrived in the Union Territory on Thursday and addressed the ‘Empowering Youth, Transforming J&K’ event at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects in J&K worth more than Rs 1,500 crores encompassing the sectors of road, water supply, and infrastructure in higher education. He also launched Competitiveness Improvement in Agriculture and Allied Sectors Project (JKCIP) worth Rs 1,800 crores. The Prime Minister also initiated handing out employment letters to 200 fresh government recruits. Later, he took a walkthrough of the exhibition and interacted with young achievers of the Union Territory.