Source: https://www.pminewyork.org/idy/
International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually on the 21st of June ever since its inception in 2015. Yoga is a physical, mental, and/or spiritual practice attributed mostly to India. An international day for yoga was declared unanimously by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11, 2014. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his UN address suggested the date of June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of the world. Following this initial proposal by Mr. Narendra Modi, the UNGA held informal consultations on the draft resolution titled, “International Day of Yoga”, on October 14, 2014. The consultations were convened by the delegation of India. A total of 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution in UNGA, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.
Source: http://www.bankersadda.com/2016/06/international-day-of-yoga-21st-june.html
The resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In this regard, the World Health Organization has also urged its member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide, and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
The first International Day of Yoga was observed world over on June 21, 2015. 35,985 people, including Narendra Modi and a large number of dignitaries from 84 nations, performed 21 yoga asanas (postures) for 35 minutes at Rajpath in New Delhi. NCC cadets entered the Limca Book of Records for the “largest yoga performance simultaneously by a single uniformed youth organization” by performing at multiple venues.
The event at Rajpath established two Guinness world records, first, for the largest yoga class, featuring 35,985 people, and second for the largest number of participating nationalities (84 nations) awarded to the Ministry of AYUSH and received by AYUSH minister Shripad Yesso Naik.