New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the Andhra Pradesh government’s ‘YogAndhraAbhiyan’ initiative aimed at developing a yoga culture in the state. He also shared that he will participate in the ‘Yoga Day’ program in Visakhapatnam on June 21.
Addressing the nation during the 122nd episode of Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi said, “The government of Andhra Pradesh has started #YogAndhraAbhiyan. Its objective is to develop the yoga culture in the entire state. Under this campaign, a pool of 10 lakh people practising yoga is being created. I will get an opportunity to participate in the ‘Yoga Day’ program in Visakhapatnam this year.”
Ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, the Prime Minister encouraged people to begin practising yoga, saying it would “transform” their lives.
“Less than a month is left for International Yoga Day. This occasion reminds us that if you are still away from yoga, now is the time to begin. Yoga will transform the way you live your life,” he said.
PM Modi also highlighted the growing global influence of yoga. “Since the beginning of Yoga Day on June 21, 2015, attraction towards it has been rising continuously. This time too, we can see the excitement and enthusiasm for Yoga Day across the globe. Various organisations are sharing their preparations. Images from previous years have been deeply inspiring. We have witnessed people in different countries forming Yoga Chains and Yoga Rings in some years,” he added.
The Prime Minister also spoke about a significant development in the field of traditional medicine. He mentioned a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Ministry of Ayush and the World Health Organization for developing Traditional Medicine intervention categories and an index for the International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI).
“Along with Yoga Day, something has happened in the field of #Ayurveda as well, which you will be very happy to know about. Just yesterday, i.e., on 24th May, an MoU was signed in the presence of the WHO Director General and my friend Tulsi Bhai (Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus),” PM Modi said.
He emphasized that the initiative will help increase the global reach of traditional medicine in a scientific manner.
“Along with this agreement, work has started on a dedicated traditional medicine module under the International Classification of Health Interventions. This initiative will help in making AYUSH reach the maximum number of people across the world in a scientific manner,” he added.
According to the Ministry of Ayush, the MoU was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, with a holistic approach and focus on the TM systems of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani.
