PM Modi champions India’s tourism and global Yoga adoption

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been lauded as a transformative leader and a powerful ambassador for India, its diverse culture, and its growth story. His relentless promotion of Yoga as India’s cultural and spiritual export has resonated globally, making it synonymous with brand India.
In a series of interviews conducted today with yoga experts worldwide, they celebrated Modi’s persistent advocacy over the years. Ashish Bhatia, an Indian living in the U.S. for 15 years, expressed his pride in Yoga’s global recognition. “PM Modi, during his tenure, has put India on the world map and has also made ‘yoga’ famous,” he said.
At the G20 Tourism Ministers’ conference held in Goa, PM Modi encouraged global tourism heads to explore the manifold wonders of India. His vibrant description of the Indian landscape, from the lofty Himalayas to picturesque beaches, and the nation’s rich cultural tapestry highlighted the diverse offerings for any discerning visitor.
The PM reiterated that tourism transcends mere sightseeing. He underlined that it’s an immersive experience within a diverse milieu of music, food, art, culture, which India offers in abundance. He also invited global leaders to witness the upcoming General Elections, terming it as a festival of democracy in the world’s largest democratic nation.
Detailing India’s significant strides in the tourism sector, PM Modi outlined the nation’s dual objectives of preserving cultural heritage and establishing world-class tourism infrastructure. He underscored that reforms in visa policies, transport upgrades, skill development initiatives, and hospitality sector were all crafted with tourism as the primary focus.
Additionally, PM Modi spotlighted spiritual tourism and India’s efforts in modernising spiritual centres like Varanasi, attracting millions of pilgrims. He also highlighted landmarks such as the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, which drew nearly 2.7 million tourists within a year of its inauguration.
Discussing emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and augmented reality, PM Modi stressed their potential to revolutionise the tourism sector. He highlighted India’s efforts towards real-time translation of various languages using artificial intelligence. He optimistically concluded that the discussions could boost global efforts to harness tourism’s transformative power.
The cultural significance of Yoga, celebrated globally on International Yoga Day, has been advocated by PM Modi since his 2014 UN address. He proposed June 21 for this event as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and holds special significance in many cultures.
The story behind this date relates to Lord Shiva, considered the originator of yoga. On the summer solstice, Shiva took notice of seven dedicated disciples and, 28 days later, on the next full moon, transmitted the science of yoga to them. Therefore, 21 June became a natural choice for International Yoga Day.
PM Modi’s spirited endorsement of yoga has been seen as a boon, especially for the increasing elderly population and the digitally-saturated younger generation, both seeking a low-cost personal wellness regimen. Reports indicate a surge in the elderly population globally, making them vulnerable to health-related concerns. The overwhelming increase in digital consumption is also leading to eye, brain, and nerve-related medical issues.
Thus, PM Modi’s promotion of yoga as a holistic approach to health and well-being, amid these global demographic and lifestyle shifts, underlines his vision for a healthier world and positions India as a soft power leader.