International Yoga Day 2020 LIVE Updates: PM Modi shares this year's theme - Yoga at Home

India and the world gear up to celebrate the sixth 'International Yoga Day' on Sunday- 21 June 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation via a live broadcast on the occasion at 6:30 AM. The address will be followed by a demonstration of Common Yoga Protocol from 07.00 AM onwards, as informed by the AYUSH ministry.

International Yoga day: PM's address

What is Yoga Day?

The idea of celebrating International Yoga Day was first suggested by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in his 2014 UNGA speech. Followed by the propositions, the United Nations General Assembly drafted a resolution that was titled International Yoga Day on October 14, 2014. The draft proposed humongous support across the world and 21 June was selected as the International Yoga Day.

First Yoga Day celebrations

International Yoga Day was first observed across the world on June 21, 2015, and was observed in New Delhi. In 2015, the Ministry of AYUSH helped set up the event that included PM Modi, several dignitaries that arrived from about 84 countries and around 35, 985 people gathered at Rajpath, New Delhi to celebrate the day. Around 21 yoga asanas were performed for about 35 minutes. 

Yoga Day 2020

Amid the global lockdown and social distancing norms followed around the globe due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the 6th International Yoga Day would be celebrated virtually. India currently is under extended lockdown till June 30 as the cuntry reels with increasing Coronavirus cases. India's currentt COVID tally is at 3,95,048 cases with 12,948 fatalities.

Gujarat: Vadodara's Yoga Niketan observed InternationalYoga Day by organising a virtual event where participants from 15 countries performed 108 Surya Namaskar to pay gratitude to COVID19 frontline workers.

International Yoga Day: Baba Ramdev performs Yoga at patanjali Yogapeeth in Haridwar

Ahead of the sixth International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed citizens to mark the occasion by following social distancing norms and avoiding mass gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a video message to the nation, PM Modi remarked that usually yoga day is about public events but this year, 'it goes indoors''. The Prime Minister is also set to address the nation on June at 6:30 am.  

Ahead of the International Day of Yoga on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said the ancient practice and health complement each other. Immunity increases by practising yoga. If the immunity system of a person is strong then the risk of infection of any virus will be reduced, Adityanath said, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

He was addressing an online workshop on yoga organized by Maharana Pratap Shiksha Parishad and Mahayogi Gorakshnath Yoga Institute on Saturday. The chief minister said one should not be afraid of the coronavirus.

"It is the weakest virus of the century, only the transmission of this virus is fast. You have to protect yourself from this infection, especially children, elderly and those who are already suffering from any disease are most vulnerable to this infection," he added.

"The functional aspect of yoga is useful for person of every age. Through this, one can gain physical and mental health and understand the secrets of the spiritual world. In order to know the secret of spiritual world, it is necessary to have a healthy body and mind and this is possible only through yoga. Everyone should include yoga in his daily routine," he said.

Home Minister Amit Shah's messge: Yoga is a means of establishing harmony between body and mind, action and thought and between man and nature.  

 Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla performs yoga on International Yoga Day 2020, shares message. 

Ladakh: ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel perform yoga at an altitude of 18000 feet, in sub-zero temperatures, on International Yoga Day today.
 

Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan performs yoga at his residence, along with his family, on InternationalYogaDay today.

Amid Coronavirus pandemic, President Ramnath kovind on International Yoga Day said that ancient science of Yoga is India's great goft to the world, specially during COVID-19. He added that it keeps body and mind fit.  

Stunning visuals of ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel deployed at India-China border performing Yoga on International Yoga Day 2020 in sub-zero temperatures. Picture here:

DG of UN Geneva on Sunday sent her message on Intenational Yoga Day 2020. She said that Yoga promotes principles of peace, rights & well being that UN is working towards. She added that the UN is sending message of unity & connection by celebrating Yoga Day and added that it is of substantial value at time of great challenges like COVID-19

Vice-President of India Venkaiah Naidu called Yoga a 'way of life' on Sunday, June 21, on the occasion of the sixth International Yoga Day. Sending out "best wishes" on International Yoga Day, the Vice-President stated that Yoga is an excellent tool for maintaining physical and mental health in the face of changing lifestyles due to globalization. 

As the world celebrates International Yoga Day 2020, BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda performed yoga at his residence in Delhi. Taking to Twitter, he extended his greetings to everyone on 6th International Yoga Day. He said: "Yoga is an intrinsic part of our ancient civilisation. By performing yoga everyday, we can make the connection between our mind, body and soul stronger. I urge everyone to perform “Yoga at home, Yoga with family” regularly."

Union Ministers Prahlad Patel, Giriraj Singh and Prakash Javadekar perform yoga on International Yoga Day today.

Amid alarming COVID-19 situation in the national capital, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal performed Yoga in his residence on International Yoga Day. Taking to Twitter, AAP said that they pray for healthy life of all.

A duck walk across the floor. That is how former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag participated in performing yoga, in his own style, on International Yoga Day 2020 on Sunday. Thousands of people across the globe participated in performing yoga on the eve of the 6th International Yoga Day, whose theme is 'Yoga from home, Yoga with family'. Taking to Twitter, Virender Sehwag shared a video of his duck-walk drill and hailed yoga as an effective mechanism to improve oneself even if it takes some time. 

ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) personnel of Animal Training School (ATS), Lohitpur, Arunachal Pradesh performed yoga with horses on Sunday as world celebrated International Yoga Day amid COVID-19 pandemic 

As the world celebrates International Yoga Day 2020, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan observed the day by performing Yoga with family in his residence. Taking to Twitter he hailed the work of many yoga gurus like Yoga Guru Maharishi Patanjali, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Baba Ramdevto bring Yoga culture of India to forefront.  

Former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh and Mohammad Kaif observed International Yoga Day 2020 as they joined thousands around the globe in performing Yoga on Sunday. Themed around 'Yoga at home, Yoga with family', the International Yoga Day 2020 was observed in high spirit despite the coronavirus pandemic, as people took the digital route to connect and perform Yoga. Taking to Twitter, the former Indian cricketers shared pictures of their family performing Yoga. While former spinner Harbhajan Singh embraced 'Yoga for life', Mohammed Kaif urged his fans to fall in love with taking care of oneself.