YOGA The new face of India
India is the birthplace of yoga. The development of yoga can be traced back over 5,000 years. It began as sacred teachings by the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation in Northern India. During the early 1900s, yoga was introduced to the rest of the world and it is now one of the most popular exercises to free your mind and relax.
The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the current Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi during his speech at the UN general assembly, on 27 September 2014. He stated, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition”.
Yoga became apparent after the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 responded positively to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s suggestion that June 21 every year be celebrated worldwide as International Yoga Day. The date was recommended by Modi since it marks the longest day in the northern hemisphere.
Yoga was added to UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2016.
The White House has wholeheartedly embraced Yoga as a worthy physical activity in fact, the White House has taken its yoga drive one step or one stretch further. It has now initiated a Presidential Active Lifestyle Award(PALA), a Obama White House Challenge designed to motivate Americans to make physical activity and healthy eating part of their everyday life.
The international impact of India’s soft power was felt long before the term found place in popular parlance in the 21st century. What is new is its strategic reorientation by Modi, who combined new elements of soft power to re-position India in the international community.
Ultimately, this “international binding” through International Yoga Day represents India’s new global narrative.
