Latest news with #Ramlutchman
IOL News
4 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Professor Anil Sooklal receives peace award for contribution to South Africa
Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman honoured South Africa's High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, with the Sivananda Peace Award on Sunday. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers The Sivananda World Peace Foundation honoured Professor Anil Sooklal, South Africa's High Commissioner to India, with the Sivananda Peace Award in recognition of his contributions to development within South Africa. Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman made the gesture during a yoga event held by the foundation in Inanda on Sunday, ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21. Ramlutchman told Sooklal they wanted to pay special tribute to him because they know he has been doing great and silent work in the country for decades. 'I recall in 2009 when I accompanied the President to India on the President's delegation. We'd seen you, how you interact with your counterparts, Professor Sharma in India, forging partnerships,' Ramlutchman said. 'That silent work that you've been continuously doing on behalf of our country, we say a big thank you.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He said that due to his commitment and quiet demeanour, Sooklal's contributions may be unfamiliar to many. 'Today, we want to bestow this Sivananda Peace Award to our Professor Anil Sooklal,' Ramlutchman said. 'The Sivananda Peace Award was also given to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in India, our Dr Nelson Mandela, our mother of the nation, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini, uMntwana wakwaPhindangene Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, and today, we feel honoured to present it to you. 'On behalf of the entire community of South Africa, we say a big thank you and keep going. And the Sivananda World Peace Foundation will always be proud of you.' Speaking on the sidelines, Ramlutchman described Sooklal as a silent worker and networker, and he was struck by his commitment towards building South Africa through development. He said the Sivananda World Peace Foundation always acknowledged stalwarts like Sooklal, because they have stood out in the community. Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman, South Africa's High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, and KwaZulu-Natal International Business Association President Omi Singh are pictured with the Sivananda Peace Award. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers 'It is apt that while they are living that we honour them and we say thank you to them for their contribution, and we urge them to continue. Ultimately, whatever these names I mentioned, they've contributed towards the success of our nation,' Ramlutchman said. A humbled Sooklal said the award was not about him. Sooklal said he has been in government for over 30 years, working in the Department of International Relations and had the privilege of representing South Africa internationally. He said the government gave him the opportunity and privilege to work with the international community for South Africa's benefit. 'I'm extremely grateful that I'm being acknowledged for the work I do. I'm the fortunate one to be given this opportunity to go out into the world and to promote South Africa and to strengthen our relations with countries of the world for the benefit of our people,' Sooklal said. 'Being an ambassador of South Africa and India is a privilege for me, and that comes with great responsibility. It's not about me. It's about the trust the government has placed in me to ensure that I bring benefits through this placement in New Delhi, to the people of South Africa. Bringing in more investments, getting greater job opportunities and skills development.' Sooklal said about 150 Indian companies were in South Africa, the largest being Vedanta, mining in the Northern Cape and employing about 6,500 people. 'This is what we are constantly doing at the High Commission. To get more and more Indian investments into our economy, to create jobs and also to help build skills,' Sooklal said. He said India has a program offering skills development to South Africans. They developed a skills centre in Tshwane and are building one in KwaZulu-Natal. They are providing the expertise and providing opportunities to skill South Africans.
IOL News
5 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Yoga in rural schools: How it raised pass rates to 100%
Young and old from Congo in Inanda were taught how to do yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Yoga's implementation in rural schools has dramatically increased the pass rate, rising from under 50% to a perfect 100%. This was shared by Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman at a curtain-raiser event in Congo, Inanda, ahead of the 11th International Yoga Day on June 21. Ramlutchman said that five years ago, they started visiting rural schools and have seen how yoga benefits pupils. 'We learned that some had a 46% pass rate and others 55%, but they never increased to 60%. Today, we can safely say that those schools now have a 100% pass rate,' stated Ramlutchman. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ He said yoga stills a child's mind through meditation, even the technique of sitting quietly and breathing. 'When you breathe, you take in oxygen and it energises the mind. So your mind becomes alert,' Ramlutchman explained. 'So when you're studying, your mind, it's alert. And therefore your memory becomes sharp. And you start to learn to remember what you have learned and what you have been taught in classrooms.' Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers Ramlutchman said they have also partnered with the Department of Education, and they will continue to go into all communities to serve pupils in rural areas. High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, said India offers several scholarships annually and more than 40,000 African students are studying in India. 'I would like to see more South Africans from previously disadvantaged communities come and study in India,' Sooklal said. 'I'm encouraging our communities to look also at India because India provides world-class education. 'Let us encourage a few of our matriculants here, and we will find this scholarship together with the Indian government, and let them go and get exposed to international education and to study.' He said India is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. Sooklal said it would be wonderful to have a few students from Congo studying in India on scholarship. High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers He said it was a privilege to see children as young as three embracing yoga. 'I'm also told that in the schools that have embraced this, our children are doing much better and producing excellent results,' Sooklal said. He said yoga is one of humanity's treasures and should be embraced globally. Sooklal said it was important to concentrate on the poorest as many youth are unemployed and need confidence-building, and that is what yoga does. 'Yoga is not only about the physical practice, which is important to ensure that we have healthy societies and communities, but more importantly, nurturing the mind,' Sooklal said. 'The more we can sharpen the mind and get them to concentrate on education, yoga is an important tool in that, because through education, we can empower society.' Young and old from Congo in Inanda were taught how to do yoga ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21. Image: Tumi Pakkies/ Independent Newspapers KwaZulu-Natal International Business Association (Kiba) President Omi Singh said he was impressed by the presence of children. Yoga will help their bodies and minds. He encouraged mothers and grannies to take what they learned about yoga home with them and hold small yoga classes in their communities, with neighbours and friends. India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce's Pradeep Ramlall said: 'When we talk about yoga, it is about our life. Life is very precious, and you have to guard your life through various means. One way you have to protect this life is by protecting your health. And yoga gives you many benefits to protect your health, to prevent diseases and to strengthen your mind.'
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Join the celebration: A special yoga event for seniors in Durban on International Yoga Day
In celebration of the 11th International Day of Yoga, the Sivananda World Peace Foundation will host a special yoga event in KwaMashu. This event aims to improve the physical and mental well-being of elderly participants. Image: Supplied The Sivananda World Peace Foundation will host a yoga event specifically for the elderly, featuring gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. The event will be held in KwaMashu, Durban, on Sunday, focusing on enhancing the physical and mental health of senior citizens through community building and social engagement. The foundation's instructors will lead this yoga session and guide participants through gentle stretches, breathing exercises, and meditation techniques. 'We are thrilled to have His Excellency South African High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, to commemorate the 11th International Yoga Day in KwaMashu,' said Sivananda World Peace Foundation President Ishwar Ramlutchman. 'Our goal is to promote healthy ageing, while celebrating the diversity and richness of our community.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ There will be several precursor events before the main event in June. Ramlutchman, also known as Prince Mabheka Zulu, confirmed that Durban has been designated as the permanent host city for the International Day of Yoga in South Africa. The 11th International Day of Yoga will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 8am to 12pm at the Durban Beachfront Amphitheatre. 'Durban is a natural home for this global celebration. It is easily accessible, rich in multi-cultural diversity, and deeply supportive of peace and wellness,' Ramlutchman said. The 2025 event is themed 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health, and Oneness' and is expected to attract over 3,000 local participants and visitors from across South Africa and beyond. This celebration has increasing strategic support from provincial and national governments, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, private-sector partners, and the United Nations. Support for the yoga celebration includes the KZN government, Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, the National Department of Health, Durban Mayor Councillor Cyril Xaba, and various private-sector stakeholders. Additionally, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has formally partnered with the event. The partnership underscores UNESCO's mission of promoting peace, culture, and sustainable development. It also highlights Durban's connection to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Okhahlamba within Giant's Castle in the Drakensberg Mountains. The event also marks the 100th birth anniversary of Sri Swami Sahajanandaji, spiritual head of South Africa's largest spiritual institution, The Divine Life Society. He was a towering spiritual figure in South Africa who exemplified yoga through dedicated, selfless service to the disadvantaged. His extensive initiatives included establishing schools, creches, and clinics, and fostering strong social unity. Through these diverse programmes and infrastructure development, he created a lasting foundation of social cohesion. Swami Sahajanandaji brought out the true meaning of yoga to be to integrate the mind and body through selfless action.
