Punjab embraces ancient Indian tradition of Yoga

Chandigarh, June 23 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed yoga with around 30,000 participants in Chandigarh city to mark the second International Yoga Day. Modi called upon the world to embrace yoga to lead better lives and said that yoga provides health assurance in zero budget. Wearing a white T-shirt and track pants, Modi performed breathing and stretching exercises with yoga enthusiasts of all ages at Chandigarh's Capitol Complex. The first international Yoga day celebrations were held at Rajpath in New Delhi. PM Modi shifted the venue to Chandigarh city this year in order to promote tier-II cities and give a greater platform to states like Punjab. In a separate program, Border Security Force soldiers also practiced yoga asans or postures in Khasa on the outskirts of Amritsar. Soldiers performed exercises under guidance of trained yoga professionals. The United Nations in 2014 declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga after adopting a measure proposed by Modi. The day is marked by mass practice of yoga and other healthy activities around the world.