New Delhi: BJP president Amit Shah on Friday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "lifting India's prestige in the world", saying it was due to his efforts that United Nations had declared June 21 as 'International Yoga Day'.
In a congratulatory message, he said it was a matter of pride for Indians as it is an extraordinary achievement for the country.
"Congratulations to Prime Narendra Modi ji for getting June 21 recognised as International Yoga Day by UN," he said.
The BJP chief said that in his address at the United Nations General Assembly on September 27, Modi had mooted the proposal for having an international yoga day.
Shah said that over 170 nations had supported India's resolution in this regard and that was due to the efforts put in by the Modi government in the last three months.
"It is a matter of pride and honour for 125 crore Indians. I salute Prime Minister Modi and his team for lifting India's prestige in the world... Yoga is an invaluable contribution of India to the world," he said.
Less than three months after Modi proposed the idea, the UN General Assembly yesterday adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga' as it recognised that "Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being."
The resolution on 'International Day of Yoga' was introduced by India's Ambassador to UN, Asoke Mukerji, and had 177 nations joining as co-sponsors, the highest number ever for any General Assembly resolution.
It is also the first time that such an initiative has been proposed and implemented by any country in the UN body in less than 90 days.
