The Governor, Draupadi ji, the Chief Minister, the ministers of the Central Government and the State Government present on the stage and my dear brothers and sisters of Jharkhand.
Best wishes to all of you, the entire country and the world on International Yoga Day.
Today, from this Prabhat Tara Maidan, a good morning to all the countrymen. And today, this Prabhat Tara Maidan is definitely shining on the world map. Jharkhand has received this honor today.
Today, lakhs of people in many parts of the country and the world have gathered at different places to celebrate Yoga Day, I thank all of them.
The important role that our media friends and people associated with social media are playing in spreading Yoga across the world is also very important, I express my gratitude to them too.
Friends, coming to Jharkhand for Yoga Day is a truly humbling experience. You all left your homes early in the morning and came here from far away, and I am grateful to all of you. Many people are wondering why I have come to Ranchi to celebrate the fifth Yoga Day and practice yoga with you.
Brothers and sisters, I have a fondness for Ranchi, but there are three other important reasons for my visit today. First, as the name Jharkhand suggests, it is a forest state, very close to nature, and the synergy between yoga and nature gives a unique experience. The second major reason for my visit is that the relationship between Ranchi and health is now etched in history. Last year, on September 23rd, on the occasion of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay's birth anniversary, we launched the Ayushman Bharat Yojana from Ranchi. Today, the world's largest healthcare scheme , the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, has become a huge support for the poor in a very short time. We also know and understand the importance of yoga in making Indians healthy; that is why coming to Ranchi today is special for me.
Brothers and sisters, now I and all of us together have to take the Yoga campaign to a different level and this is my third and biggest reason for coming to Ranchi.
Friends, yoga has always existed in our country, an integral part of our culture. Here in Jharkhand, the Chhau dance expresses asanas and mudras. But it's also true that the journey of modern yoga hasn't reached the rural and tribal areas of the country as it should have. Now, I, and all of us, together, must take the journey of modern yoga from the cities to the villages, to the forests, to the remotest places, to the last person. We must bring yoga to the homes of the poor and tribal people. I must also make yoga an integral part of the lives of the poor and tribal people, because it is the poor who suffer the most from illness. It is illness that makes the poor even poorer. Therefore, at a time when poverty reduction in the country has accelerated, yoga is also a vital medium for those who are escaping poverty. Establishing yoga in their lives means saving them from the clutches of disease and poverty.
Friends, making life easier with conveniences alone isn't enough. Medicines and surgery aren't the only solution. In today's changing times, it 's crucial to focus more on wellness , along with preventing illness . This is the power we gain from yoga. This is the spirit of yoga, and also of ancient Indian philosophy. Yoga isn't just about spending half an hour on the floor, a table, or a mat; yoga is discipline, dedication, and it has to be practiced throughout life. Yoga transcends age, color, caste, sect, faith, creed, wealth, poverty, region, border differences, and boundaries. Yoga belongs to everyone, and everyone belongs to yoga.
Friends, over the past five years, our government has strived to make yoga a strong pillar of preventive health care by linking it with health and wellness . Today, we can say that awareness of yoga has reached every corner of India, every section of society – from drawing rooms to boardrooms, from city parks to sports complexes , from streets to wellness centers ; today, yoga can be experienced everywhere.
Brothers and sisters, I find even greater satisfaction when I see the younger generation integrating, promoting, and propagating this ancient practice of ours with modernity. The innovative and creative ideas of young people have made yoga more popular and vibrant than ever before.
Friends, on this occasion, our Minister announced the Prime Minister's Award for Promotion and Development of Yoga . A jury decided this award, and these individuals were found after a rigorous search across the world.
I commend the friends who have received this award for their hard work and dedication towards Yoga.
Friends, the theme of this year's International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for Heart Care'. Heart care has become a challenge for the entire world. In India, heart -related diseases have increased manifold in the last two and a half decades. Sadly, heart problems are now increasing even among very young people . In such a situation , along with heart care awareness, it is important to make yoga a part of prevention or treatment .
I would also urge local yoga ashrams to further promote yoga. Whether it's the Rikhya Peetha Yoga Ashram in Deoghar, the Yogoda Satsang Sakha Math in Ranchi, or other institutions, they should also organize events this year with heart care awareness as their theme .
And friends, when there is good health, there is also a passion to reach new heights in life. With a tired body and a broken mind, neither dreams can be made nor desires can be realized. When we talk about good health, some things come to mind - water, nutrition, environment, hard work - these four things - pure drinking water should be available, nutrition should be available as per the requirement, the environment should be clean - air environment, anything, water, anything and hard work should be a part of life - then these four 'P' give results for good health.
Friends, I thank people across the world for joining the Yoga Day celebrations. Worldover the first raysof the sun being welcomed by dedicated yoga practioners is a beautiful sight. I urgeyou all to embrace yoga and make it an integral part of your daily routine. Yoga is ancient and modern. It is constant and evolving. For centuries the essence of yoga has remained the same- Healthy body, stable mind, spirit of oneness. Yoga provides a perfect blend of Gyan or knowledge, Karma or work and Bhakti or devotion. Yoga will make every individual better in thoughts, action and spirit.
Friends, the importance of practicing yoga is greater than perhaps ever before. We live in a time when diseases related to lifestyle and stress are increasing. This come with the fast routines and pressures at the work place. It pains me to read about bright young men and women being affected by substance abuse, alcoholism, diabetes and such other evils.
Yogaoffers a solutionfor these problems. Yoga also furthers unity among people and in our society this can heal several challenges,that our world faces.
Friends, peace , harmony have also being associated with yoga. On the occasion of the 5th International Yoga Day, let our mottobe Yoga for Peace, Harmony and Progress. Yoga for Peace, Harmony and Progress.
Brothers and sisters, since the launch of International Yoga Day, we have taken many effective steps, the benefits of which are already being seen. Looking to the future, we must work continuously to make yoga a part of everyone's life, to make it a habit. To achieve this, the role of practitioners, teachers, and organizations associated with yoga will increase. To make yoga a part of the lives of millions of people, it is crucial to prepare manpower and develop human resources . This is only possible if we develop standards and institutions related to yoga . Therefore, our government is moving forward with this vision.
Friends, today the world is adopting our yoga, so we must also emphasize research related to yoga. Just as the software of our phones is constantly updated , similarly we have to keep providing information about yoga to the world. For this, it is important that we do not limit yoga to any boundaries. Yoga must also be linked with medical, physiotherapy, artificial intelligence, etc. Not only this, we will also have to encourage the private enterprise spirit related to yoga , only then will we be able to expand yoga.
Our government is working in many areas, understanding these needs.
I once again extend my best wishes to you for good health and a very happy International Yoga Day. And I hope that all of you will not only practice yoga as we are going to do here, but also continue to increase its duration ; you will see the amazing benefits it will bring to your lives.
Once again, I wish you all the best for good health and a life full of peace, harmony and coordination.
Let us now start practicing yoga.
I also congratulate the Jharkhand government for organizing such a massive event in such a short time. They had no prior knowledge; the idea of holding such a massive event in Ranchi only came up two weeks ago, after the new government was formed. But I congratulate you, the government, for the remarkable achievement the people of Jharkhand have achieved in such a short time.
