What yoga a 3D Modi can do that Baba Ramdev can't
What would Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been doing if he wasn't the prime minister of India? Well, he could very well have been a teacher. Or, is he one already?
If the book release of Exam Warriors makes you feel that he would have been just an ordinary motivational teacher, you surely haven't watched him teach yoga.
Amazed at the creativity of a few youngsters, who made 3D animated videos of me practising Yoga! Sharing one such video, of Trikonasana. Keep practising Yoga for a #FitIndia! pic.twitter.com/exjI4elQih
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2018
Yes, Modi could have been a yoga teacher and given Baba Ramdev a run for his money.
Many came to realise this fact on Sunday, March 25, when right after his weekly Mann Ki Baat address, a 3D animation of PM Narendra Modi depicting "Trikonasana" (the triangle posture) yoga was released.
While this was good news for those who have the knowledge of English and Hindi (because the video is available only in these two languages), there is no reason for others to lose heart. Yoga guru Modi has promised that this gem of a highly enriching video will soon be made available in other languages.
And no, don't even think that this is some sort of self-promotion or image building exercise. This video hasn't been made by Modi, it doesn't even feature him. Modi's connection with the video ends at appreciating and sharing it. The video, depicting the prime minister's hologram, has been made by "some people" of a creative bent and a heart filled with Modi bhakti - and, yes, belief in the power of yoga too.
"I surely am a yoga practitioner and yet some people, through their creativity, have made me a yoga teacher as well and 3-D animated videos of my yoga practice sessions have been prepared," is all the prime minister said. Courtesy demands at least an acknowledgment for admiration (read bhakti).
Amazed at the creativity of a few youngsters, who made 3D animated videos of me practising Yoga! Sharing one such video, of Trikonasana. Keep practising Yoga for a #FitIndia! pic.twitter.com/exjI4elQih
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 25, 2018
What about those who do not want to watch it because, after all, not everybody likes to be taught all the time or at any time because there are bad students too? Well, for them, there is no hope in hell. Modi has declared he will be sharing a "set of videos" periodically on social media.
We just can't get enough of Modi, it seems. Stop your hunt for an easy escape.
So what about the "real issues" facing the country that the voters want to hear about or see Modi talk about? Yoga, mind you, will address it all. All you need to do is spread that yoga mat and bend it like Modi does.
During his Mann Ki Baat - before which the video was released - with the nation's 132.42 crore "bhaiyon behno", Prime Minister Modi went on to reiterate his commitment to the mega health insurance project, better known as Modicare.
"All you young people can come together to launch a movement of Fit India," he said.
The prime minister said efforts were being undertaken to make healthcare accessible and affordable with more than 3,000 jan aushadhi (medicine) stores being opened across the country and more than 800 medicines being made available at affordable prices.
While there is still no clarity over where the funds for the flagship National Health Protection Scheme — which promises to cover more than 10 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) providing coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation — will come from, there is yoga to the rescue.
Preventive healthcare is, as Modi too says, after all the least costly and the easiest healthcare strategy.
It's amazing how Modi gets it so impeccably right all the time. Spot on, prime minister.