Indians celebrate the International Yoga Day in myriad ways across the country

The International Yoga Day (IYD) turned into a festive occasion in India as people across the nation broke records, performed asanas in festive clothing and set fitness goals for themselves. Right from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) individuals and institutions joined IYD 2023 with a sense of purpose and unity.

Defence Minister Rajanth Singh performed yoga asanas aboard India’s indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi, joined by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Wednesday morning.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh elaborated on the philosophy of yoga, saying: “When we look at the meaning of yoga, we find that the meaning of yoga is to join. It connects man with nature. Connects our soul to the divine. Connects this world with the hereafter. And most importantly, it unites our body and mind”.

Far from the Western coast of Kochi, Indian soldiers stretched out and performed yoga at Pangong Tso in the Himalayas in Ladakh. Check out the video of soldiers performing their asanas and pranayams from the banks of the lake on the occasion of the IYD.

The Indian Coast Guard also organised celebrations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The yoga was performed at the islands – Jadunath Dweep and Shaitan Singh Dweep, named after decorated Indian soldiers. Part of the yoga was done in water.

New Delhi’s diplomatic fraternity also joined the yoga fun. The Israel embassy organised a session at the office, tweeting: “Namaste! Israel in India joins the celebration by practising yoga in the office, a wonderful way to unwind, release stress, and strengthen the bond between our nations. Thank you, India for giving the world the wonderful gift of Yoga”.

In a video, Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon said: “Yoga is a wonderful present that India gave to the world. It’s a great way to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work. Wishing everyone a happy International Yoga Day”.

Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi led a Yoga session at Purana Quila, where she was joined by Martine Aamdal Bottheim, the Minister Counsellor & Deputy Head of Mission of the Norwegian embassy.

It was not just the soldiers on the frontiers and the foreign missions in Delhi, Differently abled people also performed yoga in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, demonstrating that the ancient Indian wellness practice has benefits for people.

Surat city in Gujarat claimed to have set a new Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people for a yoga session at one place with while women in Mumbai performed their asanas in traditional Maharashtrian sarees.

In Mumbai itself, Muslim women did their yoga practice wearing their traditional burqas.

The ninth International Yoga Day was centred around the theme  ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, – yoga for the welfare of all as one world and one family. It is estimated that nearly 250 million people will be participating in the event as it unfolds across the globe with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations from the UN headquarters in New York.