Page 14 - NIS English 16-30 June,2023

Special Report 9th International Day of Yoga

and colleges all over the world. Today,
many states in India have made yoga
a venture of education so that future
generations can become acquainted
with this age-old science of ours,
become practitioners, and make yoga a
part of their lives.

Yoga: India becomes a soft power
Yoga's global popularity has helped
India establish itself as a soft power.
The intellectual and cultural power
(soft power) of a country reflects its
society's creative aspirations. The
distinguishing feature of "soft power'
is that it is "soft" because it is not
controlled by the government. It was Growing Yoga market
not that people did not practise yoga
in other countries until 2014. However, billion-US dollar
after Prime Minister Narendra Modi
inspired it to become an international 2.6 retail fitness services 154%
market in India.
festival and the United Nations
declared it International Day of Yoga, market for yoga
it has been the only day on which billion US dollars related equipment
the world's largest cultural festival is 80 estimated Yoga grew during
Covid-19
celebrated. market in India
Soft power is a country's ability to
shape its priorities. Apart from using
force, it influences other countries' The global yoga tourism market was expected
behaviour towards itself through its to be worth US dollar 156.11 billion in 2021
appeal and charm. India has always
believed in the use of soft power for
the good of humanity. It also includes compound annual growth rate
the ability to persuade others through estimated between 2022 and 2030
persistence and positive charm, as 5.8% according to a research study by
well as the use of culture, values, www.grandviewresearch.com.
implicit knowledge, spirituality,
and foreign policy. Participation
and concern are central to Indian just for individuals, but for all of humanity.
philosophy. Soft power encompasses Yoga originated in India and is a free technique that
all of a country's characteristics that anyone can learn. The first International World Yoga Day
attract other people, communities, or was observed on June 21, 2015. This concept came from
countries. For thousands of years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was the one who strong
India has taken a holistic approach ly promoted the characteristics and benefits of yoga and
to health. We have a long history of helped it gain global recognition. Yoga is now recognised as
health promotion and prevention. an Indian power throughout the world. This is a gift to the
Yoga and meditation have evolved world from India for the benefit of people.
into global movements. Yoga is not The popularity of International Day of Yoga has made every

12 New India Samachar June 16-30, 2023