The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution inviting governments worldwide to seize the opportunity of that day to "raise awareness about the benefits of practising yoga", the Daily Mail reported.

Modi, a vegetarian who practises yoga daily, made the proposal during his maiden address to the United Nations in September and last month appointed a yoga minister to his cabinet.

"Elated!" he tweeted on Thursday. "Have no words to describe my joy on the UN declaring 21st June as 'International Day of Yoga.’ I fully welcome the decision."(KH)