CONTEXT

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Day of Yoga 2019 celebrations to be held in Ranchi on June 21.
• Ministry of AYUSH planned every year observation of the International Day of Yoga across the country.
• The ministry successfully organized several programs during the last four years in connection with the International Day of Yoga.
• They requested the stake-holding Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, State Governments and other related institutions to work in a coordinated manner to observe the International Day of Yoga (IDY).
• Nearly two-minute long video shows a 3D-animated version of the prime minister performing the Ardha Chakrasana or the Half Moon Pose in a spacious room as a voiceover guides viewers through a step-by-step procedure of the yoga.
• May 21 is referred to as Yoga Day and celebrated since its inception in 2015.
• International day for yoga was declared by United Nations General Assembly.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address suggested a date of 21 June as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world. The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by the current Prime Minister of India.