(Reuters) – The United Nations on Thursday declared that June 21 will be International Yoga Day, adopting a measure proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said yoga lets people “discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”

The 193-member U.N. General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution establishing a day to commemorate the ancient practice, which Modi called for in September during his inaugural address to the world body.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the International Day of Yoga would bring attention to yoga’s holistic benefits.

“Yoga can contribute to resilience against non-communicable diseases. Yoga can bring communities together in an inclusive manner that generates respect,” Ban said in a statement.

“Yoga is a sport that can contribute to development and peace. Yoga can even help people in emergency situations to find relief from stress,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi Speech in United Nation

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References:

• http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/12/11/un-yoga-idINKBN0JP23020141211
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Yoga_Day
• http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/united-nations-declares-june-21-as-international-day-of-yoga-633315