Yoga Day, Congress & Shashi Tharoor

Congress on Wednesday tried to take credit for popularising Yoga on the ninth International Yoga Day, but senior party leader Shashi Tharoor said "we should also acknowledge all those who revived and popularised yoga, including our government", for internationalising the International Day of Yoga through the United Nations. In a tweet, the Congress said, "On International Day of Yoga, we thank Pt Nehru, who was instrumental in popularising yoga and even made it a part of national policy."

Indeed! We should also acknowledge all those who revived & popularised yoga, including our government, @PMOIndia & @MEAIndia, for internationalising #InternationalYogaDay through the @UN. As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world &… https://t.co/WYZvcecl0Q

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) June 21, 2023

"Let us appreciate the importance of the ancient art and philosophy in our physical and mental wellbeing and take steps to incorporate it in our lives," the party said. "As I have argued for decades, yoga is a vital part of our soft power across the world & it's great to see it recognized,"  Tharoor added.The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practising yoga. Recognising its universal appeal, in December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.