By Muzaffar Raina
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged Kashmiris to take inspiration from Egypt and transform yoga into a tourist attraction, potentially generating new livelihoods.
His comments came amid concerns from Valley politicians about the treatment of government officials at a recent yoga event on the banks of the Dal Lake, highlighting a divide in perspectives on yoga.
Modi spoke at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar after rain delayed outdoor yoga, prompting participants, including girls in hijabs, to improvise with yoga mats.
Addressing the gathering of waiting participants on the lawns of the SKICC, Modi said: “Two days ago I saw a video from Egypt. They organised a competition and awarded the best yoga photographs and videos from iconic tourist places in the country. I saw boys and girls from Egypt, in pictures and videos, standing in front of the iconic pyramids. It was so attractive.
“For Kashmir, yoga can become such a big source of livelihood. It can become a centre of attraction for the tourists,” he added.
This story was originally published in telegraphindia.com. Read the full story here.
