Antananarivo, Jun 20 (UNI) International Day of Yoga was celebrated here today at Indian embassy with the theme, " Yoga for Wellness", which is particularly relevant in a phase when entire world is facing challenge of Corona pandemic.
The event was hosted by the Ambassador of India to Madagascar and Comoros Abhay Kumar. The theme for this year's International Day of Yoga is “Yoga for Wellness” which is particularly relevant in the current context of COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world.
The event was attended by several international diplomats including H.E. Usama Saeed Mahmoud Khalil, Ambassador of Egypt, UNICEF Representative in Madagascar Mr. Michele Saint Lot and well known Malagasy singer and celebrity Ms Stephanie, as well as ITEC, and ICCR alumni and prominent members of the Indian Community in Madagascar. The celebration started with Ambassador’s address to the guests highlighting the relevance of the International Day of Yoga and role of Yoga in living a healthy life.
Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Abhay Kumar said, “We live in a world which brings us stress in everyday life and Yoga, I can say with certainty being a practitioner of Yoga, reduces stress and brings balance in our lives.” The speech was followed by an hour long Yoga session conducted by Mrs. Yvonne Radjibaly from Heartfulness Yoga and Meditation.
Earlier, in a special video message, H.E. Prof Rakotova Hanitrala Jean Louis, Health Minister of Madagascar highlighted the importance of yoga saying, “Yoga, one of the six schools of Vedic Indian philosophy, aims at unifying the physical, psychic and spiritual aspects of a human being through meditation, asceticism and bodily exercises. Also, this discipline can be valued, thanks to its benefits during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic when our well-being is being severely tested.” He will also be participating in the 4th International Yoga Conference titled UBUNTU hosted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations on June 21-22, 2021. The conference will focus on finding commonalities between Indian and African traditions and how Yoga and African Indigenous Knowledge and Healing Systems can be used for the overall well being of mankind. International Day of Yoga was also celebrated in Comoros at the hotel Retaj by the prominent members of Indian community.
The President of the Union of Comoros Azali Assoumani congratulated India on the occasion of International Day of Yoga saying, " "On International Yoga Day today, I would like to join the international community in wishing President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, every success in his endeavours, and happiness, health, prosperity to the people of India. I express my sincere wish that India emerges soon from the Covid-19 health crisis and continues to make its invaluable contribution to the World."
International Yoga Day on June 21, 2021 marks its 7th year of international celebrations, since the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution in December 2014 declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The fact that 175 countries co-sponsored the resolution demonstrates that a vast majority of the world's nations recognise the importance of Yoga for the well-being of the body, mind and soul, and our coexistence in harmony with nature.
The Embassy has been carrying out a series of online Yoga sessions since June 15, 2021 on its official social media channels to mark the celebrations of the International Day of Yoga 2021.
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