Indian Embassy hosts mega yoga session to mark Int'l Day of Yoga
The Embassy of India in Kuwait held a mega yoga session on Saturday to commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) at the Boulevard Cricket Ground in Salmiya. Organized in collaboration with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR), India's Ministry of Ayush and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the event brought together more than 1,500 participants from diverse backgrounds, including foreign diplomats, students, members of the Indian community and yoga enthusiasts.
This year's celebration was held under the global theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', which underscores the interconnectedness of health, sustainability and environmental well-being. The theme also aligns with India's G20 vision of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
Addressing the gathering, Indian Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life and expressed gratitude to attendees for supporting the IDY celebration. OCA Director General Hussain Al-Musallam also spoke at the event, noting that yoga is recognized as a sports discipline under the OCA.
The event was graced by prominent personalities including Padma Shri Acharya H R Nagendra, founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, and Padma Shri Sheikha Shaikha A J Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family known for her efforts in promoting yoga in the region. Participants performed the common yoga protocol as part of the day's activities.
This marked the first time IDY celebrations were held in a public venue in Kuwait. In the run-up to the main event, the embassy had organized three curtain-raiser yoga sessions and a yoga posture competition for all age groups, drawing enthusiastic participation from the local community.
The United Nations officially designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014, following a proposal by India that was co-sponsored by Kuwait and endorsed by a record 175 member states. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the initiative during his address at the 69th session of the UN General Assembly. The date was chosen to coincide with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
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