Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform yoga at a public event next month, as part of his international drive to increase participation in this ancient Indian tradition.


Modi will demonstrate exercises as well as breathing control at an event in New Delhi, on June 21, at Rajpath. The United Nations declared as June 21 as International Day of Yoga.


Modi had used his first speech at the UN General Assembly in September to call for such a day to be recognised. Yoga lets people "discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature", Modi said at the time.


Modi is an enthusiastic practitioner of yoga and performs Yoga exercises every day and credits them with giving him energy so he only needs a few hours sleep each night.


In November, Modi appointed India's first minister to promote yoga and traditional medicines as he embarked on a mission to increase awareness about home-grown health treatments.


Modi also introduced a plan to allow government officials to practice yoga at work. - Reuters

Pic courtesy: ‏@NaMo4PM