PM
leads 50,000 people, mostly school students and youth, on fourth
international yoga day, does 20 asanas and three pranayams.
International
Yoga Day 2018 : Prime Minister
Narendra Modi led 50,000 people on Thursday morning to mark the
fourth international day of yoga here and said that the ancient
Indian knowledge system fosters amity, which can form the basis of
national unity and universal peace in these fractious times.
Modi
addressed the participants in Hindi and, uncharacteristically, in
English as well, as he reached out to yoga enthusiasts across the
world, and for 40 minutes led the way to perform 20 yogic and three
pranayama, or breathing, exercises in the backdrop of Dehradun’s
iconic Forest Research Institute building.
“Dehradun
to Dublin, Shanghai to Chicago, Jakarta to Johannesburg, Himalayan
highlands or sunburnt deserts, Yoga is enriching millions of lives
across the world,” the PM told the participants, comprising
predominantly school students and youths. The PM and participants
performed yoga on mostly saffron yoga mats, with a sprinkling of blue
coloured mats as well, on a green carpet.
Dehradun
was picked as the venue for the fourth edition of the event, also the
last before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The PM as well as Uttarakhand
Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat spoke of the spiritual
importance of Uttarakhand, which they said was home to the ‘char
dham’ – Hindu religion’s preeminent pilgrimage centres.
Rawat
pointed out that it was thanks to the PM’s efforts that the state
now had an all-weather road for visiting the four pilgrimage centres,
or char dham, and that he prays to the deities of Kedarnath and
Badrinath to bless the PM’s vision of shaping a ‘new India’.
Modi
said river Ganga originated in Uttarakhand, and it was also the
birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda. He said yoga contributed to national
unity, and has become one of the most powerful unifying forces in the
world. The PM said India needed to learn to respect its cultural
heritage, and his espousal of yoga in the last three years has
inspired many individuals to take it up and several institutions
devoted to the study and propagation of yoga have come up.
While
the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A were recently unveiled in China, the Redmi 6
Pro will be launched in Xiaomi's home country on June 25.
Chinese
smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi is gearing up for the India launch of
the Redmi
6, Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 Pro in September, according to a report
in mysmartprice. While the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A were recently
unveiled in China, the Redmi 6 Pro will be launched in Xiaomi’s
home country on June 25.
The
Redmi 6 and Redmi
6A are budget smartphones with 18:9 aspect ratio screen. The
Redmi 6 Pro, on the other hand, is expected to be company’s first
budget device with notch-based screen. In terms of specifications and
features, the Redmi 6 Pro is expected to sports a 5.7-inch fullHD+
19: aspect ratio screen. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 could be the
choice for system-on-chip (SoC), paired with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM
and 16GB and 32GB of internal storage –– expandable via microSD
card. However, considering that both the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A are
powered by MediaTek chipset, there is a possibility the Redmi 6 Pro
may also get MediaTek processor.
In
terms of imaging, the Redmi
6 Pro is expected to sport a dual camera set-up of 12-megapixel
and 5MP on the back, similar to the one found in the Redmi 6. The
front camera is expected to be of 5MP. Powering the device would be a
3,900 mAh battery. The phone is also expected to sport fingerprint
sensor, along with face unlock mechanism as a biometric tools to
unlock the phone.
The
Redmi 6, on the other hand, phone sports a 5.45-inch (720 x 1440) HD+
IPS screen stretched in 18:9 aspect ratio. Powered by MediaTek Helio
P22 system-on-chip, an octa-core processor built on power efficient
12-nanometre technology, the phone comes in two storage and RAM
configurations – 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB. In terms of imaging, the
phone sports 12-megapixel and 5MP dual rear cameras on the back and a
5MP camera on the front for selfies. The phone sports fingerprint
sensor on the back and houses 3,000 mAh battery under the hood.
The
Redmi 6A also sports a 5.45-inch (720 x 1440) HD+ IPS screen
stretched in 18:9 aspect ratio. However, it is powered by MediaTek
Helio A22 system-on-chip, a dual-core processor built on power
efficient 12nanometre technology. The phone comes with 2GB of RAM and
16GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. In terms of
imaging, the phone sports a 13MP camera on the back and a 5MP camera
on the front for selfies. Interestingly, the phone does not sport
fingerprint sensor but relies on AI-backed face unlock mechanism,
along with usual PIN, password and pattern-based unlock option.
With
IGTV, Instagram, as it has done in the past, is copying features
pioneered by others.
Aiming
to take on Google-owned YouTube,
popular photo-sharing platform Instagram
announced it would allow users to upload videos up to one hour in
length, up from the previous one-minute limit, adding that it has hit
the milestone of one billion users worldwide.
"We
launched IGTV (a button inside the Instagram home screen, as well as
a standalone app) at an event featuring many of the Instagram
creators who'll make it great," the company wrote in a blog post
late on Wednesday.
Not
just celebrities, IGTV will let all users be a creator and let them
upload vertical videos through Instagram's app or the web.
"It
is a new app for watching long-form, vertical video from your
favourite Instagram creators, like LaurDIY posting her newest project
or King Bach sharing his latest comedy skit. While there's a
standalone IGTV
app, you'll also be able to watch from within the Instagram app
so the entire community of one billion can use it," the company
added.
Notably,
the longer-form, vertical video service -- which will work as a
bolt-on feature to Instagram as well as having a standalone app of
its own -- is very important to parent company Facebook.
With
IGTV, Instagram, as it has done in the past, is copying features
pioneered by others. It assumes that its immense scale and resources
can make its version the winner, even if it is well late to the
party, according to BBC.
With
an election due in 2019, some worry a surge of fake, politicised
messages could lead to more violence, stoking broader Hindu-Muslim
tensions and sparking religious riots.
Local
musicians are already singing about the evils of fake
news when police superintendent Rema Rajeshwari’s convoy rolls
up to the dusty village square in one of India’s poorest
communities. "Don’t believe these things," a performer
cries out to the crowd.
In
a dark blue cap and stiff khaki uniform, Rajeshwari climbs onto a
makeshift stage in front of hundreds of villagers. She’s there to
try and stop the spread of bogus WhatsApp
messages in her district that warn of child kidnappers and roving
murderers.
Across
India, social media rumors have caused rural villagers to patrol in
anxious groups on the look-out for anyone they don’t recognize.
These mobs have already killed numerous people. In May and June
alone, at least six people died in WhatsApp-related mob attacks in
eastern Assam, western Maharashtra and southern Tamil Nadu. There’s
also simmering tensions over Hindu vigilante groups who’ve targeted
and killed Muslims.
"You
see these messages, these photos and videos, but you don’t check if
they’re real or fake, you just forward them," Rajeshwari tells
them. "Don’t spread these messages. And when strangers come to
your village, don’t take the law into your hands. Don’t kill
them."
With
an election due in 2019, some worry a surge of fake, politicized
messages could lead to more violence, stoking broader Hindu-Muslim
tensions and sparking religious riots. The stakes are already high --
Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party is facing
declining support, while opposition parties are planning to combine
forces to take him on. Rajeshwari said she saw a spike in messages
around recent state elections in the neighboring state of Karnataka,
and fears more ahead of national polls.
The
fourth edition of International Yoga Day is being observed across the
globe today.
Peru
on Thursday observed the fourth edition of the International
Yoga Day.
"Certified
Yoga professionals trained locally by AYUSH Information Cell of
Embassy have taken the main lead in conducting today's IDY event at
Caral, Peru. They received certificates and are keen to impart Yoga
training to other Peruvians," tweeted India in Peru.
The
Indian Embassy in Peru celebrated International Yoga Day on 20 June
as well.
"The
celebration of the International Day of Yoga was held in the Sacred
City of Caral on June 20, 2018. A civilization more than thousands of
years old as well as this millenary discipline," India in Peru,
wrote in another tweet.
The
Indian Embassy in Japan has also celebrated International Yoga Day on
June 19.
Indian
Ambassador to Japan Sujan Chinoy along with Japan's Member of
Parliament Hakubun Shimomura had addressed the participants during
the celebrations.
"Embassy
organised #IDY2018 at #JapaneseDIET 19 June with the participation of
parliamentarians. MP Hakubun Shimomura, Chairman Parl League for
Promotion of #YOGA in @japan & Amb @SujanChinoy addressed
participants. PM @narendramodi video msg on #IDY2018 inspired all,"
India in Japan had tweeted on June 19.
Meanwhile,
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined thousands of volunteers and
perform Yoga asanas in the lawns of Forest Research Institute in
Dehradun.
Yoga
guru Ramdev has conducted a yoga session in Kota, Rajasthan at RC
Ground.
The
fourth edition of International
Yoga Day 2018 will be observed across the globe today.
To
celebrate the day, various Yoga training programmes, camps, seminars,
workshops have been organised across the world at big levels.
The
first International Day of Yoga was observed all over the world on
June 21, 2015, where more than 30,000 people, including Prime
Minister Narendra Modi, performed yoga asanas (postures) at Rajpath
in New Delhi.
The
idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime
Minister Modi during his speech at the United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014.
He
had then proposed June 21 to be observed as International Yoga Day
all over the world, as it is the longest day of the year in the
Northern Hemisphere and shares special significance in many parts of
the world.
A
text dating back to early medieval India considers yoga an activity
that can lead to the liberation of one's soul or 'moksha'.
Yoga
has been India’s answer to fancy fitness regimes followed in the
west. It has spread to all parts of the world to such an extent that
we celebrate the International
Yoga Day. Almost every Indian city has something planned to
celebrate on this day.
While
the Prime Minister practices yoga
in Dehradun with over 50,000 people, Vice-President Venkiah Naidu
will be the chief guest at a yoga day event in Mumbai. Yoga day is
being celebrated in other locations like Hyderabad too.
Where
to practice Yoga
But
here’s the irony- Yoga must be done in a secluded place, says the
Kurma Purana (Kurma Purana Part II, translated by Ganesh Vasudeo
Tagare, published by Motilal Banarsidaas in 1982), an early medieval
Indian text. It lays down few more rules for the practice of yoga.
The text has prescribed specific locations where yoga can be done - A
well-guarded place, in a cave, on the banks of the river, a temple,
and isolated place with no worms. It also prohibits its practice in
the Caitya( Buddhist place of worship), at four-cross roads,
cremation ground, dilapidated cowpen or, crowded places.
Yoga-
A concept that changed from early India to early medieval India?
In
addition to the popular belief that yoga is a medium of exercise and
is limited to practice of the Asanas, chapter eleven of the Kurma
Purana refers to the fact that meticulous practice of yoga leads to
the attainment of liberation as it ‘quickly burns the entire cage
of sins.’ This is in addition to what Patanjali says about Yoga.
Patanjali has called yoga, 'a way to out to rest endless chain of
thoughts'. Another meaning of yoga is found in the Markandeya Purana,
say historians. The Markandeya Purana has called yoga as ‘disunion
with ignorance and union with Brahman.’ Therefore, by the beginning
of the Common Era, had become a formula to attain liberation. In the
Rig Veda, historians have noted that ‘yoga’ was used to denote
connection between words. It came from the root word ‘Yujir’
which means unite or connect.
Having
already mentioned that the text dating back to early medieval India
considers yoga an activity that can lead to liberation, there is a
whole chapter elucidating the form. It goes on to say that knowledge
originates from yoga and yoga functions through knowledge. Further to
this, it is believed that Siva is pleased with one who is devoted to
the practice of yoga.
The
match is a must-win for both teams as Portugal's win multiply their
chances at reserving a berth for the next stage while a loss for
Morocco will mean they would virtually exit the tournament.
Match
preview Portugal
Vs Morocco : Portugal will once again look at their talisman
striker and captain Cristiano Ronaldo to power them to a win when
they clash today against 41st ranked Morocco in the second match in
Group B of the FIFA
World Cup 2018 here at the Luzhniki Stadium. Their trust isn't
misplaced either with Ronaldo looking in red-hot form, first in the
final stages of the Champions League and then, more pertinently, in
their World Cup opener match against Spain when he scored a brilliant
hat-trick to earn his team a valuable draw. But then again, Portugal
is not just a one-man team with other players like Bernardo Silva and
Andre Silva able to single-handedly turn the fortunes of a match. If
Portugal win today's match, they'd stand a good chance to advance
from the group stage.
On
the other hand, Morocco, who stage at the bottom of group B, will
virtually exit the tournament if they fail to win today's clash,
having lost to Saudi Arabia after conceding an own-goal late in the
match despite having dominated for the better half of the match.
Head-to-head:
Morocco defeated Portugal 3-1 in their only previous encounter in the
group stage of the 1986 World Cup. It was Morocco's first-ever win at
the tournament while Portugal's only defeat in the World Cup against
the African opposition.
When
and where to watch:
The
match will be telecasted live in English on SONY TEN 2, in Hindi on
SONY TEN 3 and in Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu on SONY ESPN.
Time:
5.30 PM IST
For
live streaming, the match can be streamed at sonyliv.com
Portugal
23-man squad:
Goalkeepers:
Anthony Lopes , Beto , Rui Patricio
Defenders:
Bruno Alves , Cedric Soares, Jose Fonte, Mario Rui , Pepe , Raphael
Guerreiro , Ricardo Pereira , Ruben Dias
Midfielders:
Adrien Silva , Bruno Fernandes , Joao Mario , Joao Moutinho, Manuel
Fernandes , William Carvalho
Forwards:
Andre Silva , Bernardo Silva , Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid),
Gelson Martins , Goncalo Guedes, Ricardo Quaresma
Formation
and tactics: Portugal started their last match in a 4-4-2 with
Goncalo Guedes preferred over Andre Silva to partner Ronaldo.
Patricio kept the goal while Soares, Pepe, Fonte, Guerreiro lined up
in defence. Bernardo Silva, Ricardo Carvalho, Joao Moutinho, and
Bruno Fernandes manned the defence.
