Ahead
of the International Yoga Day celebrations, former external affairs minister
and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid said that the Centre using the event
for gaining a political popularity was 'unfortunate'.
Speaking
to ANI here, he asserted that it was a good
step that the UN had approved India's proposal of observing World Yoga Day, but
accused the government of adopting a 'very close minded' approach in this
matter.
"We
are all very happy that Yoga is being accepted widely by the world and Yoga Day
has been approved by the UN. Even the scientific investigations show that Yoga
is good for the body, mind and soul. I have one little worry, the government
that is pushing and the people who are pushing it have a very closed mind about
the purpose of doing anything of this nature. If they are trying to gain ant
political popularity out of it, then it would be very unfortunate,"
Khurshid said.
"This
is something that belongs to Indian ethos and belongs to Indian culture's
history. For anyone to make it their own is very unfortunate," he added.
Preparations
are on in full swing across the country and abroad to celebrate the
International Day, as people were seen holding rehearsals on a large scale
besides other cultural events.
The
main event will take place in Chandigarh where Prime Minister Narendra Modi
will participate.
The
Common Yoga Protocol will begin at 7 am and last for 45 minutes.
In the
run up to the celebrations of International Day of Yoga, rehearsal of Yogasanas
was held at Rajpath and other places in the national capital yesterday.
Meanwhile,
the United Nations headquarters in New York has been lit up ahead of
International Yoga Day that will be celebrated on June 21.
The
United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of
Yoga on December 11 in 2014 after a call from the Indian Prime Minister,
Narendra Modi during his address to UN General Assembly on September 27.
Representative
Image
Source:
ANI
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