Antananarivo: June 21, 2022, marked the 8th year of International Yoga Day celebrations since the UNGA passed a resolution in December 2014 declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Across the globe, the day was celebrated in recognition of yoga – the ancient Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice – as a way of life.
In New York, United Nations delegates and staffers stretched into various yoga “asanas” or poses, at an outdoor event on Monday, June 20 evening, at the UN Headquarters. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his message, noted that this year’s theme — “Yoga for Humanity” — reminds us how yoga is truly universal. In a world beset by disaster and division, he said, yoga’s values of mindfulness, balance, moderation and discipline are essential “as we seek out a new relationship with one another and our planet”. He added: “Let us be inspired by this timeless practice and values of yoga.”
Far away, in the capital of the island nation Madagascar, Antananarivo, a large number of students of the University of Antananarivo, members of local government, diplomats and ITEC and ICCR alumni, turned out to celebrate the day at the University of Antananarivo. The event was organised by the Embassy of India for creating mass awareness regarding the health benefits of yoga for the people.
The celebration started with the Indian Ambassador’s address to the students highlighting the relevance of the International Day of Yoga and the role of yoga in living a healthy life.
Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Abhay Kumar said: “For the past two years, the world is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic that has increased stress and anxiety among the people. While the world is slowly getting out of the crisis, there is a widespread concern over the pandemic’s impact on people’s physical and mental health. Yoga, a 5,000-year-old tradition from India, can play a critical role in getting our lives back on track. It combines physical, mental and spiritual pursuits to achieve harmony of the body and mind. As a regular Yoga practitioner myself I can vouch that practising yoga has brought tranquillity and joy to my life.”
The speech was followed by an hour-long yoga session conducted by a teacher of Indian Culture Dr Yogendra Singh assisted by two Yoga teachers from Madagascar.
Abhay said that the Embassy has taken steps to make Yoga accessible to the people of Madagascar by starting free yoga classes at its premises. For the first time, free classes are being conducted from Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 5 pm by the Embassy yoga instructor.
– global bihari bureau
