COVID-19: Modi discusses power of ayurveda, effectiveness of yoga with world leaders

Modi spoke with Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron and Prince Charles

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not only practicing yoga during lockdown, he is also promoting the same among world leaders through phone calls as the perfect antidote to self-isolation blues.

PM Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. The two leaders talked about the pandemic. Modi offered his condolence over the loss of lives. While reaffirming commitment to fight climate change and the need to pay “special attention’’ to less developed countries, including those in Africa, Modi also brought up yoga.

According to a ministry of external affairs read-out, Macron “welcomed the prime minister’s suggestion that the practice of yoga offers a convenient means of ensuring mental and physical well-being for people confined to their homes by the pandemic.’’ The French president also “confirmed that yoga has been winning new practitioners in France during the present health crisis.’’

PM Modi also spoke with Prince Charles, who recovered from COVID-19. According to the external affairs ministry read-out, Modi thanked Prince Charles “for the keen interest he has always taken in ayurveda.’’

In the phone call—where the two discussed the invaluable contribution of Indian doctors to the system—Modi mentioned India’s “initiative aimed at teaching basic yoga exercises through short animation videos,’’ as well as about home-made traditional remedies for enhancing immunity.

Prince Charles “appreciated the potential of these initiatives for enhancing health and well-being, especially in the present situation,’’ according to the statement.

On Thursday, Union Minister of State for AYUSH Shripad Naik claimed that a Bengaluru-based health resort had cured Prince Charles. At a press conference in Goa, Naik claimed ayurvedic and homeopathic drugs can help treat coronavirus. "There is an ayurveda practitioner who runs ayurvedic resort named 'Saukhya' in Bangalore who called me to tell that coronavirus infection of Prince Charles was treated by his formula. It is a mix of ayurveda and homeopathy," Naik said.

A similar discussion took place between Prime Minister Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The two leaders discussed the pandemic, “inadequate availability of medicines and medical equipment required during the pandemic, and agreed to explore avenues of cooperation’’.

Modi also recommended yoga and other immunity boosting ayurvedic techniques for the world. “The chancellor agreed that such practices could be very beneficial for enhancing psychological and physical health, especially under the present lockdown conditions,’’ the MEA read-out said.