Modi leads thousands in mass yoga demonstration

Mumbai: India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi led thousands of people in a mass yoga demonstration in Ranchi, Jharkhand in celebration of the International Day of Yoga.

"Let our motto be Yoga for peace, harmony and progress", said Modi as he began his address, shortly before the Yoga session.

Greeting everyone on the occasion, he complimented media personnel, and those associated with social media, for the key role they have played in spreading the message of Yoga.

Modi later said: "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."

He added, "We all know the importance of yoga very well. It has always been an important part of our culture. But now we all have to take the practice of yoga to another level."

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The prime minister stated that he now wants to take the message of yoga from the cities to the villages and to the homes of the poor and tribal communities.

Yoga, he added, transcended the barriers of age, colour, caste, community, and sect. "Yoga belongs to everyone and everyone belongs to yoga," he added.

Events were held around the world to celebrate the ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice founded centuries ago in India.