Yoga is an ancient Indian practice, believed to be 3,000–6,000 years old, that integrates body, mind and breath through postures, breathing techniques, meditation and ethical principles. The practice has become a global phenomenon and an expression of India's cultural identity through international celebrations, cultural exchanges and educational programs. The Indian government secured United Nations recognition by establishing June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, and national leadership of Yoga Day events reinforced its symbolic role in national pride. Government agencies such as the Ministry of AYUSH promote education, research and global propagation of traditional knowledge systems.
Yoga, an Indian practice believed to be between 3,000 and 6,000 years old, is one of the South Asian nation's key cultural contributions to the world. The practice which is an interplay of body, mind and breath, combining physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation and ethical principles has become a global phenomenon in recent decades.
Due to efforts by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the United Nations decided, at the end of 2014, to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. It has since become a symbol of Indian cultural pride and national identity. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'India's soft power' On June 21, 2023, Modi led the Yoga Day celebrations at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, "the very place where he first proposed the idea," said Chaitanya Prasad, a former Indian civil servant.
Prasad views yoga as a transformative force that strengthens a feeling of unity and harmony in an increasingly fragmented and volatile world. Each time someone unrolls a yoga mat to begin their practice, they are connecting with India's rich heritage, Prasad noted. "This in itself is India's soft power," he claims. Venkat G Hegde, a professor of international law at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, sees the promotion of yoga as part of the Indian government's efforts to preserve and strengthen what they believe are traditional knowledge systems. The government's Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy),which focuses on developing education, research and propagation of traditional medicine, has driven the national and global promotion of yoga. Internationally, AY
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