Thousands of people gathered for the event at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan despite continuous rain in the city.

Addressing the enthusiastic and vociferous gathering, Prime Minister conveyed his greetings from Lucknow to all those joining the Yoga Day celebrations across India.

He said that today, Yoga has become a part of many people’s lives. He said Yoga's popularity is high even outside India; and Yoga has connected the world with India.

Prime Minister said he is glad to see several Yoga institutes take shape over the last three years, and noted that the demand for Yoga teachers is increasing. In addition to fitness, wellness is important, PM said, adding that Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness.

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Urging everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives, the Prime Minister said that Yoga is about health assurance, and it is not even expensive to practice.

Earlier, welcoming the Prime Minister to Lucknow, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, said that Yoga is a part of our tradition and it integrates us.

Meanwhile in New Delhi, President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated a mass yoga demonstration at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

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Speaking on the occasion, President said that on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the UN had declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This year, the 3rd International Day of Yoga was being observed. He said that yoga is an ancient Indian practice which is very useful for curing many diseases and health disorders. It is a holistic approach to physical and mental health and well- being.

Officers, staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan and their family members as well as residents of the President’s Estate participated in large numbers in the mass yoga event.