Yoga enthusiasts world around from Israel to the UAE to the UK and the US celebrated International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Friday with the main event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Srinagar.
Reflecting a moment of global mindfulness and harmony, this year’s theme, “Yoga for Self and Society,” underscored its dual role in fostering individual and societal well-being.
The D-Day was held at the UN headquarters, New York, organised by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat, in the North Lawn Area of UNHQ while the Indian Embassy in New York celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga at the iconic Times Square,
In Stockholm, the Indian Embassy participated in the celebrations with well-known Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. It held a special session with 800 participants and diplomats from 25 nations at Konserthuset. The Israeli Embassy in New Delhi put up a touching video of their staff doing yoga. “Namaste! This #InternationalYogaDay, our diplomats share why they LOVE #yoga. They might not be yogis yet, but they sure have fun trying!” it posted.
Likewise, the Ukrainian Embassy in a post said “Team members of the Embassy of Ukraine in India join celebrations of the 10th Anniversary of the International Day of Yoga & more than 5,000 years of ancient Yoga tradition,” while Philip Green, the Australian High Commissioner in India, in a post said “Over 10 lakh Australians practice yoga, including here in New Delhi.”
In Japan, IYD was held at the Tsukiji Hongwanji Temple with the Indian Embassy in a post stating “ “RAIN OR SHINE YOGA IN JAPAN.”
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait also marked the IYD at the embassy, which saw enthusiastic participation by yoga trainers and enthusiasts, members of diplomatic corps, and members of the Indian community.
The British High Commission in New Delhi shared X photographs of some of its members performing a few yoga asanas in the morning. “...Inhale’ exhale’ Armed with our yoga mats, team #UKinIndia joined millions of people in India and around the world to celebrate International #YogaDay,” the UK High Commission here wrote on X.
The Israeli Embassy video, featuring envoy Naor Gilon and some of its staff, posted on social media, commenting, “Namaste! ... This #InternationalYogaDay, our diplomats share why they LOVE #yoga. They might not be yogis yet, but they sure have fun trying! Tell us in the comments why YOU love yoga.#IDY2024#YogaDay#InternationalYogaDay2024#YogaDay2024#YogaForAll.” Likewise, the US Embassy video featured little children trying their hands at different yoga asanas.
“It’s Yoga Day and our adorable little yogis are stealing hearts with their smiles and stretches! Watch as our tiny warriors strike adorable poses, from Virabhadrasana to the Bhujangasana! This #YogaDay, join us as we celebrate the flexibility, balance, and cuteness overload,” the embassy posted on X.
The first citizen of India, President Droupadi Murmu who performed yoga at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, said yoga is India’s unique gift to humanity, and it has become far more important because of rising lifestyle-related problems. “Yoga is a way to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Let us resolve to adopt yoga as an integral part of our day-to-day living,” the president said in a post on X and shared pictures of her doing yoga.
In a similar spirit, as International Yoga Day entered into its tenth year and its impact continues to resonate across India, Gujarat’s Chief Minister announced plans for 51 ‘Yoga Studios,’ recognising yoga’s invaluable role during the COVID-19 pandemic, while Kerala committed to establishing 10,000 new yoga clubs. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, joined by his two deputies Kirti Vardhan Singh and Pabitra Margherita, performed a few asanas, along with several members of the diplomatic community at an indoor facility in Delhi, while the UK High Commission and embassies of the United States and Israel were among the diplomatic missions in India that joined in the yoga day celebrations on Friday. Back home, several Union ministers, Chief Ministers and Governors participated in yoga sessions held in different parts of the national capital and their respective States.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah was at his home town in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad, participating at a yoga event as he said, “India has enriched the world by giving the gift of Yoga. In today’s world, the remedy to every problem is Yoga. Yoga is beneficial for both health and the mind.”
In Uttar Pradesh, State Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed different asanas as they were joined by hundreds of people on the lawns of the Governor’s House, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde appealed to citizens to make yoga an integral part of their daily lives.
