International Yoga Day In The USA: PM Modi To Lead Celebrations At UN Headquarters

US 19th June: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States is garnering significant attention as massive preparations are underway. Upon the invitation of US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, PM Modi will embark on a four-day tour from June 21 to 24, during which he will be actively involved in a series of events and meetings.
A highlight of the visit is the state dinner on June 22, which will be hosted by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden in honor of PM Modi. Additionally, on the same day, PM Modi is scheduled to address a Joint Session of the US Congress.

One of the major highlights scheduled as part of the US tour is the ninth edition of the annual International Yoga Day commemorations on June 21. Taking place at the UN headquarters’ North Lawn from 8 am to 9 am, PM Modi will lead the Yoga Day celebration, expecting participation from individuals representing over 180 countries.

Another notable event during the visit is a diaspora gathering in Washington on June 23, where PM Modi will be joined by African American singer and actress Mary Millben. Known for her moving renditions of ‘Om Jai Jagadish Hare’ and ‘Jana Gana Mana,’ Mary Millben will deliver a performance at the event.

Furthermore, PM Modi will attend a lunch hosted by US Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the State Department on June 23. Besides official commitments, the Prime Minister has organized a series of carefully arranged encounters with notable CEOs, professionals, and stakeholders. He will also meet members of the Indian Diaspora.

Meanwhile, ahead of PM Modi’s highly anticipated US tour, Uddhav Thackeray, president of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, criticized the Prime Minister for not visiting Manipur to address the crisis in the violence-affected northeastern state. Speaking at a state-level convention of his party, Thackeray also challenged the central government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, stating that Modi had prioritized visiting the US over resolving domestic issues.
The significance of this visit lies in the longstanding close engagement, candid exchanges, mutual respect, and admiration between PM Modi and President Biden. The visit is marked by special gestures from President Biden, including hosting an official state dinner and organizing a private dinner and conversation with PM Modi, which will take place a day before the state dinner. Furthermore, the First Lady will accompany PM Modi to a skilling event, and both leaders will participate in a technology-focused event.