PM Modi reaches Washington after leading successful yoga event in New York
Washington DC/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Washington DC Wednesday, where the state visit officially begins after leading a successful yoga event at the United Nations building in New York to mark International Yoga Day.
Showcasing India's soft power on the global stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Yoga celebration at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday created a Guinness World Record for the participation of people from maximum nationalities.
The event was attended by 135 nationalities, breaking the earlier record of 114 nationalities.
Among them were the New York Mayor, three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej, singer Falguni Shah, actors Richard Gere and Priyanka Chopra and various UN officials.
Delighted to take part in the #YogaDay programme at @UN HQ. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness. https://t.co/XvsB8AYfGs
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2023
PM Modi is in the US for his historic state visit tat the invitation of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden.
The event at the north lawn of the UN building was attended by luminaries from the fields of science, art, and entertainment, diplomats, academicians, technocrats, and political leaders.
Among them were the New York Mayor, three-time Grammy winner Ricky Kej, singer Falguni Shah, actors Richard Gere and Priyanka Chopra and various UN officials.
Prime Minister @narendramodi leads the way during the #InternationalYogaDay celebrations at @UN HQ in #NewYork, US
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 21, 2023
A few glimpses👇🏻#InternationalDayofYoga2023 #IDY2023 pic.twitter.com/qj2NyTmVrg
Speaking at the event, PM Modi said: "Delighted to take part in the Yoga Day programme at UN Headquarters. Let us make Yoga a part of our lives and further wellness."
"Yoga is free from copyright, patent, royalties… It is a way of life...Yoga is flexible, you can practice alone, group, learn from a teacher or self-taught... It is unifying, it is truly universal. It is for all ethnicities, faith, and cultures," he said.
In Washington, he is scheduled to attend a series of meetings and also address the historic joint session of the US Congress.
At the Andrew Airbase of Washington, he was given a traditional welcome by Indian expats.
On Thursday, PM Modi will attend a dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden and his family at the White House.
He would inspect the Guard of Honour at the White House, and later, hold bilateral talks in the Oval Office.
