“The world has two biggest problems today. One is terrorism and the second is climate change. The solution to both these problems can be found in Mahatama Gandhi’s life and his ideals,” Modi said in Turkmenistan’s capital.
He was speaking after inaugurating a traditional medicine and yoga centre here where he also unveiled a bust of the father of the nation.
Modi also expressed hope that people of Turkmenistan will learn about the ideals and life of Mahatma Gandhi.
Noting that yoga helps humans to live in sync with nature, Modi said that it was not a physical exercise but a synchronisation of body, mind, soul and intellect.
“Yoga also helps humans to live with nature. Yoga is not a physical programme. How much the body bends or legs bend, this is not the objective of yoga.
“Body, mind, soul and intellect, the art to connect each of this in one direction can be learnt from yoga. Do not concern yourself with how much the body bends, you should focus on how to synchronise mind and intellect,” Modi said.
He said that both the newly-inaugurated yoga centre and the bust of Mahatma Gandhi will convey an apt message not only in Turkmenistan but the entire Central Asia.
Referring to his conversation with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, Modi said the president referred to the yoga centre being inaugurated today as “a product of our deliberations.
“He (president) said that he will make a world class yoga centre and make this country an experimentation site in showing the world as to how yoga can help bring change in our lives,” Modi said.
He hoped that the bust of Mahatma Gandhi would prompt people of Turkmenistan to make efforts in knowing and understanding Gandhi.
Modi arrived here last evening after his three-day visit to Ufa in Russia where he attended the BRICS and SCO summits besides holding bilateral talks with leaders of Pakistan, Russia and China.
The prime minister has already visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and will also visit Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as part of his eight-day visit to Central Asia.
Modi also said, “I heard children conversing in Hindi when the bust of Gandhi was being unveiled. They were singing ‘bhajans’. And for the display of yoga, I give you 100 out of 100. You tried to strike perfect pose of the ‘asanas’ which would not have been possible without practice”.
–PTI