Yoga Brings Harmony in Today's Dangerous and Divided World: UN Secretary-General

Ahead of International Yoga Day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that yoga not just unites body and mind, but also millions of people across the globe.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the eve of International Day of Yoga praised that yoga practice is a unifying force and a source of strength, harmony, and peace. Hence, it is very important to humanity by helping people to understand each other despite their differences.

Yoga can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection.

International Day of Yoga - "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"
Join the global movement of health and vitality on this International Day of Yoga on June 21, as people connect with the true essence of peace and well-being.

‘The United Nations secretary general mentioned in a speech titled ‘Yoga Unites’ praises the benefits of yoga practice are precious uniting people across the globe. #International yoga day 2023 #global harmony #yoga day celebrations’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first state visit to the US, will lead the 9th International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday. Many high-profile officials are expected to join PM Modi on the north lawns of the UN complex on the morning of June 21.

'Haven of Calm': Yoga Unites Millions of People Across Globe

The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated worldwide annually on June 21 since 2015. In his 2014 UN address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested the date of June 21, as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and shares a special significance in many parts of the world.

As the ninth annual International Yoga Day begins on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi is set to visit the United Nations, the very place where this occasion received international recognition. Thus began a powerful exercise in soft power diplomacy ().

Today, International Yoga Day is not merely a symbol of India but also a significant leverage point in Indian diplomacy worldwide. The resolution was passed unanimously at the UN conference and thus June 21 became the International Day of Yoga.

International Yoga Day 2023 Celebrations Throughout the World

Meanwhile, lakhs of people are gearing up for the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2023 on June 21. The Yoga Day national celebrations will be officially led by vice president Jagdeep Dhankar at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.

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About 15,000 people are expected to participate in the main event. This year’s theme of IDY is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, a tribute to India's socio-cultural heritage.

Preparations for IDY 2023 started on March 13, with a 100-day countdown launched by the minister of Ayush. Since then, the daily countdown has been observed by all stakeholders, including government bodies, making it a mass movement, that will culminate on June 21 ().

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This year’s Yoga Day will witness unique features like the Ocean Ring of Yoga, where the Indian Navy and merchant ships will organize CYP demonstrations at ports/vessels of friendly countries in different oceans.

Yoga from the Arctic to Antarctica is another feature in which the MEA is coordinating with the Ministry of Ayush to organize CYP in countries falling in and around the Prime Meridian line besides UN member countries.

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Yoga Bharatmala has been conceptualized, where the Indian Armed Forces along with ITBP, BSF, and BRO will make a chain of yoga demonstrations in unison. Yoga Sagarmala will witness yoga along the Indian coastline. There will also be yoga demonstrations at the flight deck of INS Vikrant under the leadership of the defense minister.

At the national level, the International Day of Yoga will try to achieve ‘Har Aangan Yoga’ by enabling people’s participation in yoga at the village level. Anyone can join the celebration in their nearest Anganwadi, health and wellness centers, and schools.

Apart from this, around 2 lakh Common Service Centres, AYUSH Health and Wellness Centres under the National AYUSH Mission, and AYUSH Gram will also participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations. Around 50,000 people are expected to gather at Amrit Sarovar to perform yoga.

This year a ‘Y-break’ at workspaces was also introduced by the Ministry of Ayush with the aim for employees to get de-stressed, refreshed, and re-focused in the workspace. All ministries/departments of the government of India have been requested to ask their employees to practice yoga in their chairs.

On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity, and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet, and ourselves.

References:

Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/)
9th International Day of Yoga - (https://www.un.org/en/observances/yoga-day)

Source-IANS