India's UN resolution on Yoga gets backing of about 130 states

In an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for commemorating an International Day of Yoga, about 130 countries have joined as co-sponsors to an India-led UN General Assembly resolution recognising yoga's benefits

United Nations: In an overwhelming response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for commemorating an International Day of Yoga, about 130 countries have joined as co-sponsors to an India-led UN General Assembly resolution recognising yoga's benefits.

The draft resolution for an 'International Day of Yoga' was prepared by India and informal consultations were convened last month by the Indian mission in the UN General Assembly where views on the topic were expressed by other delegations.

Narendra Modi

The draft resolution, known as the 'L Document,' was finalsed with 130 countries co-sponsoring it, an all-time record for a resolution of such kind. The draft resolution, expected to come up for adoption in the General Assembly on December 10, would recognise that "yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being," echoing Modi's remarks in his maiden address to the 193-member body in September.

Modi had asked world leaders to adopt an International Yoga Day, saying that by changing lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us deal with climate change. "Yoga embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfillment; harmony between man andnature; a holistic approach to health and well being," he had said.

The resolution would also proclaim June 21 as the 'International Day of Yoga'. It would recognise that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population and invite all member and observer states, organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional bodies to observe the International Day in order to raise awareness of the benefits of practising yoga.

It would also note the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.

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