COIMBATORE: Extolling the ancient Indian discipline of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called for efforts to protect nature and mould human activities to bring them in sync with ecological surroundings.

He also termed unity in diversity as the speciality and strength of the Indian culture

“This (Maha Shivaratri celebrations) symbolises a spirit of vigilance, that we have to protect nature and mould our activities in sync with our ecological surroundings,” he said addressing a gathering after unveiling a mammoth 112 feet bust of ‘Adiyogi” Lord Shiva at Isha Yoga Foundation here Underlining the need for peaceful coexistence, Modi said, “Lord Shiva is everywhere” and referred to the bull, peacock and mouse that were the vehicles of the Lord and his sons — Ganapathy and Karthik. He also talked about the venomous snake Vasuki curled around Shiva’s neck to emphasise the importance of peaceful coexistence He asked people to remain united, insisting unity in diversity was special to Indian culture. Praising the ancient practice of Yoga, whose goal is to bring the practitioner’s body, mind and spirit in tune with each other, Modi told the gathering that by “practising Yoga, a spirit of oneness is created. Oneness of mind, body and the intellect, oneness with our families and with the society we live in, with fellow humans and with birds, animals and trees.” “This is Yoga, Yoga is a journey from me to we,” he said, emphasising India’s biggest strength was its diversity. Modi began his speech by greeting people in Tamil “Ungal Ellorukkum En Anbana Vanakkam,” (My loving greetings to all). Founder of Isha Foundation, Jaggi Vasudev, said the bust of ‘Adiyogi’ was built in eight months. He also lauded Modi for practising Yoga. Before unveiling the giant ‘Adiyogi’ bust, Modi lighted the “Maha Yoga Yagna” and released the book ‘Adiyoga: The source of Yoga’, which deals with yogic sciences. Modi was shown around various places in the Isha Yoga complex, including the Dhyana Linga, Surya Kund, Nandi statue and the inner and outer corridors (prakaras) by Sadhguru Vasudev. The Prime Minister offered aarti and showered flower petals over the Dhyana Linga. He later sat in the Dhyana Linga mandapam, where a yogic dance was performed by a group of youngsters to the accompaniment of traditional music and Sanskrit shlokas. Modi briefly sat alongside Vasudev in a meditative posture. The city and the venue of the event was placed under a multi-tier security cover by police and the Special Protection Group, which guards the Prime Minister. Tamil Nadu Governor Ch Vidyasagar Rao and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami received Modi on his arrival here. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan and Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi also attended the event. The statue and the foundation are located in the foothills of Velliangiri mountains in the Western Ghats. The bust was unveiled to coincide with Maha Shivaratri celebrations. Nearly 500 members of various outfits were arrested when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modi during his visit. Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near here by a helicopter, police said. The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers’ interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said. During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office here, they also sought the Centre’s intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala. Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, TMC, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, SDPI, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested. Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modi’s visit near the airport.—PTI