International Yoga Day 2017 highlights: Amid drizzle, PM Modi leads celebrations in Lucknow

Below are the highlights:

8:35 am: See how Prakash Javadekar is performing asanas on Yoga Day.

On 3rd #InternationalYogaDay I and Manipur CM @NBirenSingh performed #Yoga along with about 1500 people including State Ministers in Imphal pic.twitter.com/kthZXxml6a

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) June 21, 2017

8:00 am: Check out how Yoga enthusiasts are performing asanas onboard INS Shivalik, Kamorta and Jyoti in the Indian Ocean.

#InternationalYogaDay2017 Onboard INS Shivalik,Kamorta&Jyoti Indian Ocean @SpokespersonMoD @moayush @arunjaitley @PMOIndia @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/fe02C46CcD

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 21, 2017

7:45 am: The Prime Minister has left the venue. The event has concluded in Lucknow. UP CM Yogi Adityanath, Governor Ram Naik and Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya practiced asanas at the ground.

7:40 am: NDA’s presidential candidate Ram Nath Kovind is accompanied by Sports Minister Vijay Goel, MP Meenakshi Lekhi and BJP leader Bhupendra Yadav in Delhi.

NDA Presidential nominee #RamNathKovind ,Sports Minister Vijay Goel,BJP MPs Meenakshi Lekhi & Bhupendra Yadav do Yoga in Delhi pic.twitter.com/DvtGXeUgIu

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017

7:35 am: In Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu are performing asanas at an event in Connaught Place.

LG Anil Baijal, CM Arvind Kejriwal and Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu perform yoga in Delhi #InternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/P9Ycy4iMuW

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017

7:30 am: Did you know that the armed forces are also performing Yoga? Yes, that’s correct. Yoga asanas are being performed on INS Viraat by Navy officers and CRPF and Army personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

7:20 am: The Prime Minister took a break from the asanas to take a tour around the ground and interact with people.

7:15 am: Have a look at some of the celebrations across the country and beyond.

CM Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Acharya Balkrishna perform Yoga in Guwahati #InternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/6FhC33wn5W

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017

Yoga being performed at the USA embassy in Delhi #InternationalYogaDay pic.twitter.com/KB6dv8RM99

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017

Celebration of #InternationalYogaDay at the world heritage site of Machu Picchu in Peru pic.twitter.com/F3WrQUZvbH

— ANI (@ANI_news) June 21, 2017

7:10 am: The Prime Minister is now performing asanas along with the other participants. There is a narration of what the asanas mean and the way to perform them. There is a light drizzle as well. There are four people on the stage demonstrating the asanas.

Right now, the participants are performing ‘Vrikshasana’. Breathing exercises are also a part of the asanas.

7:05 am: PM Modi has concluded his address and is now leaving the stage to take part in the Yoga Day events. Like past years, he will perform asanas.

7 am: The PM says that Yoga is recognised has been recognised by several state governments and has found a place in the school curriculum. He also equates the importance of Yoga in the world to salt. Urging everyone to make Yoga a part of their lives, PM Modi said it is about assurance of health.

6:55 am: Yoga is binding the world together, says PM Modi. He says practicing it will eventually lead to better health for people.

Apart from fitness, wellness is important. Yoga is a medium to achieve wellness: PM Modi

He also joked that Yoga mats are being put to good use as umbrellas because of the drizzle.

6:50 am: Prime Minister Modi is speaking at the moment. He appreciates those who have arrived for the event despite the rain. “From Lucknow I convey my greetings to all those joining the #YogaDay2017 celebrations all over India,” the PM said.

In recent years, a lot of Yoga institutes have come up, Yoga teachers are now in demand. Young people have accepted Yoga as a profession. In countries across the world, there is a new market being created around Yoga: PM Modi

6:45 am: Yogi Adityanath says, ‘Pracchin grantho ne yoga ke mahatva ko swikaraa hai. yoga jeevan ki ek kala hai. Yeh hum sab ko jorhna sikhaati hai.’

6:40 am: PM Modi along with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath have arrived for the Yoga Day celebrations in Lucknow. It is drizzling and yet participants are waiting for the proceedings to begin.

6:30 am: Welcome to the live blog where we track all the live updates from Lucknow where prime minister Narendra Modi is leading the celebrations. In other cities across the country, BJP leaders and ministers are taking part in the celebrations.