New Delhi: International Day of Yoga, marked annually on June 21, will be celebrated this year with the theme of “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the yoga day celebrations from the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York, USA. The National celebration of International Day of Yoga 2023 will be led by Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. Interestingly, PM Modi first proposed the draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga. In his address, during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly in 2014, PM Modi said,
Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action … a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.
Also Read: International Yoga Day 2023: Five Asanas That Can Help You To Stay Fit And Healthy
Addressing the curtain raiser press conference on Saturday (June 17), Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said,
As we move closer to the International Day of Yoga, we are taking the celebration of Yoga, one of the greatest gifts of India’s rich heritage to humanity, to another level this year.
Lauding PM Modi for introducing yoga to the world in the form of annual commemoration, Mr Sonowal said,
It has been nine years since UN recognised Yoga day celebration for June 21 after a passionate attempt by PM Narendra Modi convinced member states of the world to join in this wonderful celebration of positive mind and body. As PM Narendra Modi celebrates this year’s Yoga day by leading the global celebration of IDY from the United Nations, this is perfect tribute to this year’s motto Yoga for ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
Further talking about this year’s theme, Mr Sonowal said,
It aptly describes our aspiration for – ‘One Earth One Family One Future’. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam has been the guiding light for the Indian heritage since time immemorial and our ethos and socio-cultural fabric are woven around it. I sincerely hope through practice of Yoga the global community is able to find solutions to various current health challenges.
Mr Sonowal opines that participation from 25 crore people is expected during this year’s International Yoga Day celebration.
Also Read: In Run-Up To International Yoga Day, NDMC To Organise 4-Day Camps At Eight Locations
Yoga Mahotsav
On Saturday (June 17), Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakashi Lekhi hosted Yoga Mahotsav for the Diplomatic Corps and officials at the Lotus Temple. Sharing the pictures from the event on social media, Ms Lekhi wrte, “As lotus in G20 India logo represents the coming together of the 7 seas and continents, Yoga as our most cherished cultural heritage is a gift to the world towards the global cause of health and wellness.”
With just 4 days to #IDY2023, hosted Yoga Mahotsav for the Diplomatic Corps and officials at the iconic Lotus Temple.
As lotus in #G20India logo represents the coming together of the 7 seas & continents, Yoga as our most cherished cultural heritage is a gift to the world towards… pic.twitter.com/3a0LJkbWm3
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) June 17, 2023
Ms Lekhi said,
The message of Yoga is to rise above everything and to be able to spread the message of peace and prosperity.
2-Days To Go For International Yoga Day
Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group, took to social media to share her excitement for the upcoming International Day of Yoga. She said she is looking forward to participating in the ninth International Day of Yoga celebrations with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week.
Looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations @UN with Prime Minister @NarendraModi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week.https://t.co/0afheBDRzc pic.twitter.com/qCuEQQyJF6
— Amina J Mohammed (@AminaJMohammed) June 16, 2023
Also Read: More Than 1.25 Crore Persons To Take Part In International Yoga Day Events In Gujarat
Earlier Csaba Kőrösi, President of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) too expressed similar interest.
I am looking forward to participating in the 9th International Day of Yoga celebrations @UN with Prime Minister @NarendraModi at the UNHQ North Lawn next week.https://t.co/yzK5GLusFb pic.twitter.com/YxE4zdkHp2
— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) June 15, 2023
On June 13, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be leading the session of Yoga at the United Nations Secretariat in New York on June 21 this year.
The Yoga session will run from 8 am-9 am on June 21 at the expansive North Lawn in the UN Headquarters, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi, a gift from India to the UN, was installed in December last year during the country’s Presidency of the UN Security Council.
The United Nations Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance in a tweet called on people to join the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations and described the initiative by the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations as “awesome.”
Join the 9⃣th #InternationalDayofYoga2023 celebrations‼️
Awesome Initiative @IndiaUNNewYork ????https://t.co/0aYOeItI9p
It's great to have Prime Minister ???????? @narendramodi lead the session next week at UNHQ North Lawn.
Sign up✍️ https://t.co/Lglhpk0yB5
— UN Management Strategy, Policy & Compliance (@UN_MgmtStrategy) June 16, 2023
The UN recognises Yoga as an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.
The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
Also Read: PM Modi To Lead Yoga Session At UN Secretariat On June 21: UN Resident Coordinator Shombi Sharp
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
