The International Yoga Day frenzy has reached the doors of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who wanted to know if Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself does Yoga.
Putin was reportedly surprised to learn that the Narendra Modi government has a ministry dedicated to Yoga (the AYUSH ministry that covers Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), and asked if the Indian PM himself practised it.
"Does Modi do yoga?" Putin reportedly asked when the point came up during a press interaction at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, IANS reported.
He then went on to call Modi his 'personal firend'.
"He is a good man, and a personal friend," the Russian President said. Putin and Modi were seen sharing a cordial rapport during the former's visit to India last December.
Putin's question may well be answered on Yoga day on Sunday, as Modi is reportedly expected to perform asanas at Rajpath along with more than 35,000 people.
However, foreign affairs minister Sushma Swaraj has reportedly said that Modi will only attend the event but will not perform Yoga.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the leading force for a day to be dedicated to Yoga, bringing up the matter during his speech at the United Nations general Assembly last year.
Following that, the United Nations declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga last December.
As many as 192 countries are gearing up to participate on Yoga Day on Sunday, including Russia.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup had shared photos of yoga training sessions in Russia ahead of the International Yoga Day.
From Russia, with Yoga. #YogaDay pic.twitter.com/omEtURghRW
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 19, 2015
