Hyderabad: The International Yoga Day 24-hour countdown program held on Saturday at LB Stadium drew a large public turnout, with participation from film personalities, political leaders, and civic groups.
Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, addressing the gathering, said the core aim behind promoting yoga is global well-being. “Yoga is not about religion. It’s a discipline, a way of life,” he said.
He cautioned against politicising yoga and criticised attempts to attach religious identities to it. “Some are trying to impose religion on yoga, but yoga has no religion. Its ultimate goal is humanity,” he said.
Naidu emphasised that yoga has roots in Indian tradition and must be passed on to future generations. He said the principles laid out by sage Patanjali are timeless and applicable across eras.
“Yoga means restraint of the mind, thoughts, and impulses. It teaches us to let go of what is unnecessary—physically and mentally,” he said.
Switching briefly to broader issues, Naidu said India had overcome years of external aggression and was progressing on the path of development. Referring to Operation Sindhur, he remarked that India had demonstrated its technological capability by neutralising terrorist targets without harming civilians.
He urged the gathering to remember both the scientists who built such capabilities and the soldiers who carry them out.
