only one country," Ms. Swaraj said.
Many are of the firm opinion that
the government must ensure
that no coercive tactics are
used for participation in Yoga
programme. They linked it with
religious sentiments, but people in
general have rubbished grotesque
comments.
“Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient
Indian tradition. It embodies unity of
mind and body: thought and action;
Volume 3 | Issue 3 | July-September 2018
21
The record book officials closely
monitored developments as the
event eclipsed previous records
participation in such event and
There is no looking back since that
day, say officials of the Ministry
of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy
(AYUSH). The biggest challenge
was to ensure the turnout much
before 0600 hrs. Guinness book of
records panelists had insisted that
every entry should be bar coded and
decoded. The event took off at 6:45
am for 35 minutes with crisp 15
popular asans. A large LED screen
was put in place to highlight motions
of various exercises which include
Muktasana, Makarasana, Kapalbhati,
Pranayam, and meditation. The
programme had started with
Rigveda invocation.
The International Yoga Day is
spreading across the country and at
most of the places, preparations get
underway months before the day.
Even in mofussil places, message is
loud and clear to observe the day.
Now, it is observed with festive
fervor and gaiety with no political
strings attached.
Tightest ever security paraphernalia
was mounted with air cover by
the Indian Air Force to thwart any
disruptive design. Security was
on lines of the Republic Day and
Independence Day celebrations.
Tight vigil was being mounted
at airports, railway stations, bus
stations and other crowded areas.
Teaming multitude of people had
done a 35-minute session of 15
Asanas at the Rajpath.
Now events are being organised in
various cities in different countries
including Beijing, Berlin, Bogota,
Budapest, Dublin, Ho Chi Minh,
Hong Kong, Jakarta, Paris, Port Louis
and Tallinn.
PM had led the nation in the
celebrations during the function at
Rajpath, where the entire stretch
from Vijay Chowk to India Gate had
turned into a Yoga mat. More than
7,000 copies of coffee table books
and 19,000 reference books on Yoga
had been sent to Indian Missions
abroad.
biggest assembly in a single
yoga class. The record was held
by
Kanyakumari-based
NGO,
the Vivekanand Kendra at Jiwaji
University, Gwalior, on 19th
November 2005. There were
29,973 participants. Guinness Book
of records has set a benchmark
of 50 nation’s participation for
another record.