At an event where he was presented the first copy of 'Yogikasparsh (yogi's touch)', a yoga manual in Braille to help the visually-impaired, Mukherjee noted that the ancient Indian practice offers "a complete answer to people's need for physical, mental, moral and spiritual well-being".
Speaking about the UN's declaration of June 21 as International Yoga Day, he said, "I am confident this will help popularise yoga globally and enable people to benefit from this priceless Indian heritage."
"Yoga is an art, science and philosophy. It helps to join the powers of body, mind and soul for achieving self-realisation. Modern medical science has validated that the practice of yoga not only reduces stress but has multiple long-lasting beneficial effects. Yogic discipline not only helps control the wavering mind but also inspires the pursuit of excellence," he said.
'Yogikasparsh' has been written by Nivedita Joshi, daughter of senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi.
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She said she was bed-ridden by a host of crippling ailments for years before she regained health and vigour with practice of yoga under the guidance of noted guru B K S Iyengar.
"This effort will bring so much more light to those who thought they could not move in that direction (of yoga)," she said.
"As we prepare to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, it gives me immense satisfaction that the Yoga manual in Braille is being offered as a unique gift to the visually impaired," the President said.