‘Age does not limit human potential; yoga essential for better health,’ says Modi 

KOLKATA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that yoga is essential not only for personal life but also for building a better future for the world. He said this while addressing a large gathering at Kolkata's iconic Red Road on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga.

Modi urged people not to treat yoga as a one-day celebration but to practice it throughout the year for improved health and well-being. Referring to this year's theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing,’ he said yoga is beneficial for people of all ages and helps ensure that advancing age does not diminish human capabilities.

‘Our goal should be to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30, and more resilient against lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. Yoga helps us achieve this by improving flexibility, boosting energy levels, reducing stress, and keeping lifestyle diseases at bay,’ he said.

The Prime Minister added that regular yoga practice teaches individuals to understand better and monitor their bodies and minds throughout life. The more we know ourselves, the better we can manage ourselves,’ he said.

Modi also said it was significant that the event was held in Bengal, a land associated with spiritual figures such as Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda, who helped introduce India's spiritual traditions to the world. The event was attended by West Bengal Governor by R N Ravi and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.