Almost every world leader has discussed yoga with me: Modi
New Delhi, Aug 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said almost every conversation he has with a world leader starts with yoga and there is scarcely any dignitary who has not spent five-10 minutes discussing the wellness regime with him.
But that changed a little during his recent visit to Bhutan where the "debate" was more on his appearance in Bear Grylis' "Man Vs Wild" programme on Discovery, he said at an event to present yoga awards here.
"Wherever I travel in the world, irrespective of how tall (in stature) the leader is, the conversation starts with yoga. There is hardly any leader who has not spent five-10 minutes talking on yoga. Some wanted to know about yoga, I have sent literature to some and there are few who practise on their own," he said.
But there is a change now, Modi said in his address to the gathering.
"I had been to Bhutan recently but instead of yoga the debate was more on 'Man Vs Wild' (Abhi abhi thoda badlav aaya hain. Abhi mein Bhutan gaya tha toh yoga ke badle 'Man Vs Wild' ka debate zara zyada ho raha tha)," he said.
Yoga, he said, has become a big medium to connect India with the world.
Modi, an avid practitioner of yoga, has been leading the Yoga Day events organised by the Ayush Ministry every year on June 21.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
