Russia & China Blast Israel's Gaza Aid Plan Backed By U.S.
TOI.in
/ May 15, 2025, 06:40AM IST
At the UN General Assembly, Russia and China slammed Israel's Gaza aid proposal, accusing it of turning humanitarian assistance into a tool of war. Russia's UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya alleged that Israel was trying to make the UN an accomplice to its military operations in Gaza. China's envoy Fu Cong echoed the concern, warning against the weaponisation of aid. Watch
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News18
2 hours ago
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Yoga As India's Soft Power: PM Modi's Vision And The Global Embrace Of Indian Culture
Last Updated: Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, yoga has transcended its ancient roots to become one of India's most potent instruments of soft power, fostering global goodwill, igniting interest in Indian culture and spirituality, and uniting millions across borders. Since 2014, Modi's unwavering advocacy for yoga has transformed it into a universal practice, celebrated worldwide as a pathway to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Through initiatives like the establishment of International Yoga Day, the creation of the Ministry of AYUSH, and high-profile events such as the 2023 United Nations Yoga Day celebration, PM Modi has positioned yoga as a cultural ambassador, showcasing India as a benign, inclusive, and well-intentioned global player. The Rise of Yoga as India's Soft Power Yoga, derived from the Sanskrit word 'yuj", meaning to unite, embodies the harmony of mind, body, and spirit—a philosophy rooted in India's ancient civilisation. While yoga has long been a global practice, PM Modi's leadership has given it unprecedented visibility, transforming it into a tool of public diplomacy. In his 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly, PM Modi proposed June 21 as International Yoga Day, a resolution that garnered overwhelming support from 177 nations and was unanimously adopted on December 11, 2014. This historic move, backed by spiritual leaders like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who noted that state patronage was essential for yoga's survival, marked the beginning of yoga's journey as a global cultural phenomenon. PM Modi's vision framed yoga as a universal gift, free from copyrights or religious exclusivity, making it accessible to people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds. The 2023 UN Yoga Day: A Global Milestone The 9th International Yoga Day on June 21, 2023, was a landmark event, with PM Modi leading a historic yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Held at the North Lawn, the event drew thousands of participants from over 135 nationalities, setting a Guinness World Record for the most diverse yoga session. The theme, 'Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (One Earth, One Family, One Future), encapsulated PM Modi's vision of yoga as a unifying force. Joined by UN officials, diplomats, and cultural figures, PM Modi emphasised yoga's role in fostering peace and eliminating contradictions, stating, 'Yoga connects us with that consciousness which makes us feel the unity of the living being." The event, attended by UNGA President Csaba Korosi and New York Mayor Eric Adams, highlighted yoga's global acceptance and India's leadership in promoting it. This high-profile celebration was more than a yoga session; it was a diplomatic triumph. PM Modi's presence at the UN, coinciding with his state visit to the United States, underscored yoga's role as an icebreaker in global dialogues. He noted that nearly every world leader he meets discusses yoga, with many requesting literature or sharing their own practice. The event's scale—250 million participants worldwide—demonstrated yoga's universal appeal, with sessions held in cities like New York, Paris, Beijing, and Kuala Lumpur. In India, events like the one at Surat set another Guinness World Record, with over 21,000 participants, while tribal artisans contributed 34,000 yoga mats, blending cultural promotion with socio-economic development. Igniting Global Interest in Indian Culture and Spirituality PM Modi's advocacy has sparked a global curiosity about Indian culture and spirituality, positioning yoga as a gateway to India's philosophical heritage. The practice's emphasis on mindfulness, meditation, and ethical values has drawn millions to explore texts like the Bhagavad Gita and concepts like Karmayoga. In the West, where one in three Americans has tried yoga, the practice has penetrated influential demographics—politicians, diplomats, and corporate leaders—creating a positive image of India as a healer. Saudi Arabia's decision to introduce yoga in universities and recognise it as a sport reflects PM Modi's success in projecting yoga as India's civilisational-spiritual gift to the world while at the same time keeping it unencumbered from religious exclusivity. The Modi government's initiatives have amplified this cultural outreach. The establishment of the Ministry of AYUSH in November 2014 elevated traditional systems like yoga to a national priority, with its budget rising to Rs 3,647.50 crore by 2023–24. The ministry's digital efforts, such as the 'Namaste Yoga" app launched in 2021, have made yoga accessible globally, offering classes and tracking features. Deploying certified yoga teachers to Indian missions abroad has further internationalised the practice, with events during India's G20 presidency in 2023 showcasing yoga's efficacy in global healthcare. The National Health Policy 2017's inclusion of yoga in schools and workplaces has rooted it in India's domestic fabric, reinforcing its global projection. A Lasting Legacy PM Modi's proud espousal of yoga has cemented its place as India's strongest soft power asset, fostering unity, health, and cultural pride. The 2023 UN Yoga Day event, alongside initiatives like the Ministry of AYUSH and PM Yoga Awards, has globalised yoga while igniting interest in India's spiritual and cultural heritage. With themes like 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health" for 2025, Modi continues to champion yoga as a bridge across cultures, embodying India's ethos of harmony and inclusivity. top videos View all As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh noted, yoga's global celebration reflects the world's embrace of India's rich culture, a testament to PM Modi's vision of a united, healthier world. Through yoga, India has not only enhanced its global influence but also inspired millions to connect with its timeless wisdom. First Published: June 20, 2025, 21:33 IST
India Today
3 hours ago
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Pakistan nominates Donald Trump for 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
Pakistan government has formally nominated US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his 'decisive diplomatic engagement and pivotal leadership' during the 2025 India-Pakistan crisis, which it credits with preventing a potentially catastrophic conflict between the two nuclear-armed a formal statement posted on the government's verified account, Islamabad praised Trump for what it called a critical intervention that led to a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, preventing what could have escalated into a full-scale regional Trump demonstrated great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship by engaging both Islamabad and New Delhi at a critical moment. "His efforts led to a ceasefire that averted a catastrophic conflict,' the statement said. Pakistan said the crisis began with what it described as 'unprovoked and unlawful Indian aggression' that violated its sovereignty and caused significant civilian casualties. In response, Islamabad launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, described as a 'measured and precise military response' aimed at restoring deterrence while minimizing harm to tensions rose rapidly, Pakistan claimed it was Trump's 'back-channel diplomacy' that helped de-escalate the situation and restore calm.'This intervention is a testament to President Trump's role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue,' the statement also lauded Trump for his repeated offers to mediate the Kashmir dispute, calling his involvement a 'sincere commitment to durable peace in South Asia.''True peace in the region would remain out of reach without the resolution of the Kashmir conflict in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions," the Pakistani government InMust Watch
India Today
6 hours ago
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Israel-Iran Conflict Live Updates: Trump presides over national security meeting on Iran at White House
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called the current global tensions a "defining moment" for peace, warning that the path taken now could shape the fate of nations and our shared future. Addressing the UN Security Council, he highlighted Iran's nuclear programme as a key concern and urged a return to serious negotiations to reach a credible and verifiable solution. All sides agreed to keep talking, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot says, after European foreign ministers met their Iranian counterparts for talks in Geneva. Speaking to reporters, Barrot also said there could be no purely military solution to the challenge posed by Iran's nuclear program. (with inputs from Reuters) Ireland will temporarily relocate embassy personnel from Tehran, the Irish foreign minister said on Friday. "In light of the deteriorating situation, following consultation with my officials and in close consultation and coordination with EU partners, I have decided to temporarily relocate our personnel from Tehran," Simon Harris said in a statement. Arrangements had been made for the embassy to continue its operations from Dublin, he said. Earlier on Friday, Britain said it was temporarily withdrawing British staff from its embassy in Iran. (with inputs from Reuters) Iraq's representative to the United Nations said 50 Israeli warplanes violated Iraqi airspace shortly before a UN meeting on the Israel-Iran conflict on Friday. Abbas Kadhom Obaid Al-Fatlawi, charge d'affaires of Iraq's UN mission, told the UN Security Council the aircraft came from the Syrian-Jordanian border areas. "Twenty airplanes started, followed by 30 airplanes heading to the south of Iraq, and they flew over Basra, Najaf and Karbala cities," he said. (with inputs from Reuters) President Donald Trump presided over a national security meeting about Iran with top aides at the White House on Friday, a US official said. The official also said US special envoy Steve Witkoff is in regular contact with the Iranians, both directly and indirectly, with Qatar acting as an intermediator. (with inputs from Reuters)
