To mark the first International Yoga Day on June 21 on a grand scale, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has drawn up major plans in its 37 centres across the globe, which may go beyond ‘yogic’ breathing exercises or twists and turns of Asanas. A proposal prepared by the ICCR is under consideration of the Government to engage cultural-religious organisations like ISKCON, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of
living, Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Yoga and Ramakrishna Mission to showcase India’s ‘cultural diversity’ and ‘secular sweep’ of the ancient Indian discipline. The cities of Rishikesh and Hardwar, which abound with yogic learning centres, have been drawn upon to support and promote yoga on International Yoga Day. Apart from the 37 centres of the ICCR, a total of 100 countries where India has cultural centres are expected to organise yoga festivals. Invitations would be extended to foreign practitioners of yoga to share their experience of learning it.
Indian missions abroad have been asked to work out a plan for the success of International Yoga Day in tandem with the ICCR. Many foreign celebrities and eminent people who practice yoga have been roped in for the occasion. The sole Hindu member of the US Congress and a Democrat, Tulsi Gabbard who has been a practitioner of Bhakti Yoga and Karma Yoga, has extended full help to make “understanding yoga a success” in America.
The United Nations (UN) which has declared June 21 as International Yoga Day is “fully involved” with ICCR to create awareness across the world about the lasting benefits, mental as well as physical, of practicing yoga. “UN officials met me and discussed the issue a couple of days ago,” said ICCR president lokesh Chandra. “The detailed programme has been sent to the Government which may finalise it by the month-end,” he said.
According to sources in the Government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to give his inputs or suggestions on how to ensure that International Yoga Day makes a strong impact on the world. Proficient yoga teachers are being sent abroad, not just to teach yogic exercises, but relate them to the philosophical aspects of Indian cultural centres abroad.
Ancient yogic traditions would be showcased during yoga demonstrations through literature and video presentations. Discourses on yoga would also be organised. The Modi Government which recently announced a proposal to set up an All India Institute of Yoga aims to promote, propagate and incentivise ‘yoga tourism’ among foreigners.