Bringing together the body, mind and soul
Today being the second anniversary of the International Yoga Day (IYD), the international community is making an ardent attempt to come closer by leaving behind their differences in both material and non-material life. An initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the initial days in his office in 2014 received world-wide recognition, particularly by the United Nations General Assembly. With this Modi has undoubtedly made yoga officially going abroad and helped to spread the core virtues of the age-old discipline beyond the boundary of religion. Once again, the IYD will enable the people across the world to access a new dimension of the self while providing a holistic approach to preventive healthcare.
On this occasion, our countrymen must realise and practice yoga as an art of living and carry further as a new way of life. Also, yoga should not be considered as a form of religious teaching or exercise rather it should be adopted as a form of pure scientific exercise for all barring caste, religion, race, gender etc. In an age of post-globalisation, which is marked by restlessness, utter confusion, violence and material enhancement of life, yoga can well be a guiding force to millions of people around the globe if pursued with intent of a core principle of life. Increasingly moral, cultural and national boundaries and even the natural human family structure are becoming prey to internationalist agencies behind the titanic waves of globalisation, it can be argued that yoga can truly make a commitment to nurture and promote the inner virtues of life and living for a balanced life.
It was in September 27, 2014, Modi had made the proposal in the UNGA for the IYD wherein he stated that: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition. This tradition is 5,000 years old. It 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”. later by December 11, 2014, unbelievably and almost unanimously, the IYD was declared by the UNGA. With this India can extend her partnership with the global community to a new height and take our socio-cultural ethos much closer to them. India's rich cultural heritage and values inbuilt in it can once again inspire the world to redefine our engagement as an equal partner in infusing a new meaning to humanity.
Arguably an international celebration of yoga can spread the message that it is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. As Modi has embarked on new route to put diplomacy for bringing business, deepen ever greater ties with the Indian diaspora and even moving a step further with Pakistan under dargah diplomacy, so he can set forth a brand new yoga diplomacy for revitalising the country's ties with the rest of the world. It can be an innovation and can well be a new vocabulary for refashioning India's relations with other nations. At a time when he is fast making attempts to end Delhi's defensiveness by injecting flexibility and determination to prioritise national interests, yoga can play a decisive role in reconstructing a framework of pragmatic internationalism as it is all about making relationship work both at bilateral and multilateral levels, than just having it for centuries.
