It is International Day of Yoga on 21st June (also father's day this year). The declaration of this came about only after Prime Minister Modi called for it and more than 177 countries including USA, Egypt, Canada and China supported the move at UN General Assembly.
It is welcome move by Modi to promote this ancient tradition of Yoga and to bring forth the Indian contribution towards the welfare of international community. And the Central Govt's initiative to promote it on a mass scale is welcome, but I personally feel, the Govt is going overboard with this initiative and its over enthusiasm is creating wrong perception among people. Governments invovlement makes it more like propaganda tool to promote Hindu culture and is diverting people from core aspect of reaping the health benefits from yoga.
It is an ancient tradition which doesnot need such demonstrative approach to promoting it. All it needs to do is to facilitate its practice and not enforce it.
And I strongly feel the government's extra efforts are hindering it from becoming a people's movement. This hyper active promotions have led the Govt, to withdraw Suryanamskara, which is part of Yoga, as lot of euphoria has been generated that it was against the tenets of ISLAM. However the government acted fast and cleverly withdrew it.It is a fact the both health and education (about yoga), have been relegated to the back ground, by the successive Governments. Unlike in the west where they are accorded top priority and the benefits of it having been internationally acclaimed. Yoga is being practised by millions of people across the globe where majority of the people are either Muslims or Christians
Yoga offers a perfect and time tested solutions to societal problems faced by today's world therefore YOGA DAY would provide a fitting occasion to acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by our ancestors, rishis and munis.
