International Yoga Day set to be bigger and better with PM leading celebrations from UN headquarters

With just one day left for the International Day of Yoga 2023, celebrations are taking place the world over. The mainstay will, however, be the North Lawn of the UN headquarters, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the event.

Pawan Kumar, member of the organising committee for the international yoga celebrations in the US, told Doordarshan News that more than one lakh people have registered for the PM-led event. The International Day of Yoga as an annual health and wellbeing event has become one of the biggest projections of India’s cultural and traditional knowledge-based soft diplomacy with people participating in the events aacross countries and cultures.

Minister of Earth Science and MP from Arunachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju tweeted that yoga will also be performed in the Antarctica, Arctic & Himalayan regions. He also posted photographs and videos of the snow-clad regions where yoga celebrations will take place.

The Indian Army also posted photographs showing how yoga has become part of its core. The Southern Command of the Indian Army said: “…Yoga is part of our lifestyle. For strength, flexibility & improved posture in all terrains & weather conditions”.

The Indian diaspora which is spread all over the world has provided enthusiastic participation for yoga every year. Indian singer and actor, Raageshwari Loomba Swaroop, made an announcement about yoga day celebrations taking place in London on Tuesday.

In fact, Indians have already started organising and holding yoga events in the run-up to the International Day of Yoga. The UK-based Indian Diaspora in the UK (IDUK) organised a yoga event in Slough borough, near London. It invited yoga instructors from a number of organisations, who not only instructed the participants but also explained the significance of yoga postures and breathing techniques to the enthusiasts.

Meanwhile, in New York UN General Assembly President and Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has tweeted that she looks forward to joining Prime Minister Modi at the yoga event. The yoga celebrations for this year have been given the G20 theme – ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which translates as yoga for the welfare of all as one world and one family.