Over 10,000 people gathered at the Central Park in heart of Connaught Place and circular road around it making it a mega event in the national Capital. Students, teachers, Government officials, employees, police, Parliament members and political leaders performed different asanas of yoga. The event started at 6 am and first followed by the performances of students till 6.15 am after that a “common yoga protocol” which includes asanas in a chronological order for 45 minutes till 7.45 am.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking up the initiative with the United Nations to make Yoga an international art. "It is a matter of pride that our ancient tradition got international acceptance. Yoga is neither political nor religious but a traditional Indian art practiced since times immemorial, it brings peace, good health and promotes unity. Yoga is not a religion it is a science. It aims at the harmonious development of the body, mind and the soul" Naidu stated.
The Minister also added "Yoga is an integral part of the society. Celebrating yoga and performing it all over the world is to make people aware about the benefits of yoga and inspire them. Yoga is an universal and traditional practice adopted by our forefathers which brings unity among people."
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also said "Yoga is a good thing and should be included in our daily life as to maintain a healthy and stressful life. It has also become the need of the Delhiites in general and people of urban areas in particular". He also added that "it will be a good idea to introduce yoga in schools and he will talk to Manish Sisodia about it".
The Minister of State and Youth Affairs Vijay Goel demanded the people to make Yoga a part of their life and part of their schedule so as to transforms their life, he also mentioned that almost 180 countries are there for the International Yoga day, including Pakistan so it should be soul free.
lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal said "In the early fifties western countries discovered the secrecy for long and happy life and started following the footprints of our ancestors by adopting yoga in their life. He further added that it is matter of pride and privilege that today the whole world is all together celebrating the day of Yoga".
Member of Parliament Meenakshi lekhi also told the media that "From past six years she is doing yoga and it helps in making a good concentration level. Yoga is also a part of our traditional preventive health care aspects and it is an ancient physical and spiritual discipline and branch of philosophy and our lifestyle", she added.
Deepa Malik the first Indian athlete who won a medal in Paralympics Games also shared her views "Being a sportsperson yoga is been beneficial for us and more of this and increase the chances of medals."
In addition, Governor of Goa Mridula Sinha, Delhi Chief Secretary MM Kutty, Chairman NDMC Naresh Kumar, Vice Chairman Karan Singh Tanwar, Council Members and Dr Anita Arya also participated and performed yoga.
Over 18,000 participants and organisations like Patanjali Yoga Peetha, Art of living, Maa Shakti, Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vidyalaya, Dev Sanskriti University Haridwar (Gayatri Pariwar), Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), Delhi Police, NDMC, CISF, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, Walking Volunteers, General Public, VVIPs and VIPs participated in the Yoga Protocol at Connaught Place.
The first international yoga day was celebrated in 2015 by the Ministry of AYUSH at India Gate although second international yoga day 2016 and 2017 was organised by the NDMC in Connaught Place New Delhi.