(Representative image) | Photo Credit: Indiatimes, Representative Image

Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat today said the hill state would be on the world map with its capital hosting the main national event on International Yoga Day, celebrated annually on June 21. Uttarakhand was the "land of yoga" and Prime Minister Narendra Modi must be credited for making the world realise its importance, Rawat said at a yoga session presided over by Swami Ramdev at ONGC's Ambedkar Stadium here.

"It is a matter of great honour for Uttarakhand to host the main event here on the day which will put the state on the world map with the prime minister," Rawat said at the rehearsal session ahead of the main event to be held on the Forest Research Institute (FRI) campus.

"It is because of the efforts of the prime minister that the power of yoga has been recognised all over the world which celebrates it on June 21," Rawat added.

The chief minister said yoga could be an effective tool to unite the world as the underlying philosophy behind the ancient practice was health and happiness for all.

"When political and spiritual power work together they open the way to international welfare," he said.

Ahead of the International Day of Yoga, the Ministry of Ayush said on Tuesday that the Central government is working on a yoga protocol for women above the age of 40, news agency IANS reported. The ministry said the programme will benefit women who may have various health issues, particularly in the mentioned age group. Yoga, which originated in India, is linked to a number of health benefits. It increases endurance, flexibility and relieves back pain. It keeps you energetic and improves overall health.

(With inputs from PTI, IANS)