NEW DELHI: On the 9th International Day of Yoga, which will be observed on June 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a yoga session at the UN Headquarters in New York for the first time in history. The goal of the International Day of Yoga is to increase public awareness of yoga's numerous advantages throughout the world. The International Day of Yoga was declared by the United Nations in December 2014 in recognition of its widespread appeal. An invitation to the yoga session led by H. E. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was extended by the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations on the occasion of the 9th International Day of Yoga. Prime Minister Modi of India will preside over a yoga session at the UN Headquarters for the first time in a historic celebration of International Yoga Day, nine years after he initially suggested it from the UN General Assembly podium. The yoga class will take place on June 21 from 8 to 9 a.m. on the large North Lawn of the UN Building, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi that India gave to the organisation as a gift was erected in December of the previous year while India held the UN Security Council Presidency. Top UN officials, ambassadors, envoys, representatives from Member States, as well as well-known members of the international and diaspora communities, are anticipated to attend the historic yoga session. Yoga mats will be available during the event, and the advisory advises visitors and participants to dress in yoga-friendly gear for the special session. UP to Observe Yoga Week from June 15th to 21st UP: Yoga programs will also be held at Madrasas, Dargahs and Mazars