Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to create a world record by performing Yoga throughout the country at the same time on June 21, which was recently declared as ‘International Day of Yoga’ by the UN. He recalled his days as a young cadet and said it taught him values like patriotism and way of life.
Asking the cadets to try and create the world record while addressing the NCC Republic Day Camp here, the Prime Minister said that it was a matter of pride, especially for those who understand and practice it and that yoga is not limited to borders, age or language. “It is a special responsibility of India, where yoga was born, to introduce the world to right yoga,” he said.
Modi’s pet Jan Dhan Yojana has already entered the Guinness Book of World Records for opening the highest number of bank accounts in the least time. As many as 11.5 crore new bank accounts have been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana so far since its launch on August 28 last year.
Recalling his days as a NCC cadet, the Prime Minister said, “my childhood memories have been refreshed” and it was a privilege for him to come back to an atmosphere where he learnt patriotism and way of life.
Modi also tweeted a picture of him as a young NCC cadet. He, however, rued that he was never selected to come to Delhi for the Annual Camp. He recalled how a boy cadet from his school who had come to Delhi for the parade became an instant celebrity at his school.
Modi said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, BJP’s Delhi chief ministerial candidate Kiran Bedi and actor-turned-MP Jaya Bachchan were all NCC cadets. Urging the cadets to contribute to the nation, Modi said, one experiences the string of unity while living in the country and exhorted them to take up the cause of cleanliness.
As regards the cleanliness campaign, he referred to a tableau on Swachchh Bharat mission and said it was neither a programme nor an ‘event.’ He said it was an effort to change the mindset of the people. “Until we are able to change the mindset of the 125 crore Indians, the work has to continue,” Modi said, adding cleanliness is one of the best ways to serve ‘Mother India.’