New Delhi, June 21 : Thousands of spirited Kashmir locals, motivated by the energising words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY), on the rain-drenched ground of Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar on Friday.

Applauding the spirit of Kashmir residents, PM Modi said: "I saw scores of girls covering themselves with the Yoga mat, and they remained on the ground. This undaunted spirit of theirs and the love for Yoga is quite appreciable."

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for being present in Jammu & Kashmir, the land of Yog and Sadhna, and stated that "the atmosphere, energy, and experience from Yoga could be felt in Jammu & Kashmir today".

"Participation of 50-60,000 people of Jammu and Kashmir with Yoga today on this occasion is a remarkable feat in itself," he said.

Highlighting the theme for this year, "Yoga for Self and Society", PM Modi emphasised about the significant contribution of yoga in enhancing personal wellness and fostering social cohesion and conveyed his best wishes to all citizens and those practising Yoga worldwide.

After finishing his address, PM Modi went to meet the rain-drenched Yoga enthused Kashmiris.

He interacted with young boys and girls and cheered them up, taking selfies himself, chatting with them -- thus making their day.

Earlier on Friday morning, the event at SKICC began with a mixed mood of weather and human spirit.

Moments before the start of the programme, rain poured down on SKICC ground, trying to dampen the spirits of the Yoga enthusiasts of Srinagar.

However, the crowd declined to move away and stuck to its ground. The Yoga mats were used as head cover and the long green stretches of floor mats were used as mass-umbrellas.

In commemoration of the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, PM Modi highlighted that a remarkable 177 countries supported India's proposal in the UN.