Speaking at the 102nd episode of ‘Mann ki Baat’ on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the theme for this year’s International Yoga Day as ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family.’
The theme embodies the essence of Yoga, which connects and unites everyone, the Prime Minister said. He also appealed to people to adopt Yoga into their lives and make it a part of their daily routines.
The Prime Minister said that “a lot of great news has come for India from the sports world this month”, as he commended the Indian sports teams for their recent achievements, mentioning the Women’s Junior Asia Cup victory and the Junior Asia Cup win by the Men’s Hockey Team.
The Prime Minister also recalled the Emergency in India, imposed on June 25 in 1975 by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, as a “dark day in India’s history”. He subsequently highlighted the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav’ India is celebrating today.
“India is the mother of democracy. We cannot forget 25th June, the day when the emergency was imposed. It was a dark period in the history of India. Millions of people opposed the emergency with all their might. The supporters of democracy were tortured so much during that time that, even today, the mind shudders,” he said.
“Today, when we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we must also observe such crimes. This will teach the younger generations the meaning and importance of democracy,” he added.
