Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home State — Gujarat is all set to celebrate the International Yoga Day in style as more than 1.25 crore people are expected to perform simultaneously on Tuesday at over 40,000 venues across the State.
The idea of an International Day of Yoga was first mooted by Modi during his speech at United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014 and responding to it UNGA with support of 177 nations decided on December 11, 2014 to celebrate International Yoga Day on June 21 every year.
In order to pay tribute to Prime Minister's efforts to popularise Yoga internationally more than 8,000 school students will form a “Yoga Human Chain” with a view to set a world record. Apart from different Government departments, NGOs, social and religious organisations, educational institutions, clubs, Border Security Force and Indian Army Jawans on bordering areas of Gujarat are all set to participate on the day.
Talking to media persons Gujarat's education Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that in 2015 more than 1.90 crore people participated on the day and this year also the state Government expecting at least 1.25 crore people to perform on International Yoga Day.
The State Government has also encouraged Yoga camps across the State and got tremendous response from people belonging to different religion and background. last year some experts performed Yoga on boats at Gujarat's lifeline Narmada River. This year nearly 100 youngsters would perform Yoga on the top of Gujarat's tallest mountain Mount Girnar situated in Junagadh, said Chudasama.
Interestingly, the State Government has also selected some historical and religious sites with an intension to promote tourism for Yoga performances. These sites include UNESCO World Heritage site - Rani-Ki-Vav, famous Modhera Sun temple, Gujarat's only hill station Saputara, Mount Girnar, Bindu Sarovar and others. The State Government had also arranged Yoga camps at these sites for maximum participation on June 21.
The Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will take part at the main event to be organised at GMDC ground in Ahmedabad. The event will be attended by Gujarat governor OP Kohli and Union Home Minister JP Nadda. Chudasama himself will remain present at Sabarmati Riverfront.
Over 1000 differently abled students will perform Yoga at a venue in Bhavnagar. Yoga Day will also celebrated in most of the jails in the State. The prisoners were given Yoga training at most of the district jails.