Indian embassy celebrates eighth International Yoga Day

Yoga is a vital medium to strengthen people-to-people ties on the core of the India-US relationship, says Indian envoy

Forward of the eighth Worldwide Day of Yoga, the Indian Embassy in Washington, along with Mates of Yoga, organized an inspiring occasion Sunday within the coronary heart of the nation’s capital celebrating an historic Indian self-discipline, now a lifestyle for a lot of across the globe.

Below a pristine blue sky on a morning which felt extra like early Spring than mid June, tons of of yoga lovers gathered on the grounds of the enduring Washington Monument for the much-awaited Yoga Day program, the fourth such observance at this historic location.

Following two years of digital celebrations on account of the coronavirus pandemic, it was a refreshing change to attend an occasion outdoor, inhaling recent air, which is finest fitted to this bodily, psychological and non secular apply.

Learn: Indian group in US celebrates Worldwide Day of Yoga (June 21, 2021)

Wanting round, Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu stated he was “delighted to see such a big gathering from numerous walks of life.” In flip, he was warmly applauded by members of what he described as a “fantastic Diaspora.”

Reportedly, some 37 million persons are energetic practitioners of yoga right here in America.

“In america, numerous individuals have embraced yoga,” Sandhu informed an attentive viewers. “It’s heartening to see the passion from pre-Ok to universities, from public-private sectors, younger and outdated,” he stated, noting that yoga studios have sprung up everywhere in the nation.

“Folks-to-people ties are on the core of our bilateral relationship as is being guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden,” stated the envoy emphasizing, “We’re dedicated to strengthening this important linkage and yoga is a vital medium. It’s a medium that binds and unites!”

“In Sanskrit, Yoga means to hitch,” Sandhu famous. “Yoga joins a person with one’s consciousness, with the upper self, with fellow human beings and nature. Yoga is an enhancer – bodily, psychological, non secular and mental. We require it very a lot for our nicely being,” he stated.

In latest occasions, with sedentary life, an increase within the variety of illnesses and challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the envoy identified, “Yoga has come into a lot sharper focus. And now with the post-Covid state of affairs, Yoga helps to construct resilience, well being, unity, togetherness, compassion and happiness.”

It’s applicable that the theme for this yr’s Worldwide Day of Yoga is ‘Yoga for Humanity,’ a reminder that this historic apply is actually common.
“This yr can be very particular for us,” Sandhu informed the gathering. “We’re celebrating 75 years of independence, ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,’” he stated to a lot applause.

The envoy recalled how eight years in the past, in 2014, Modi had urged the United Nations Basic Meeting (UNGA) to undertake a decision for an Worldwide Day of Yoga.

Inside 75 days, a document for the UN physique, the Basic Meeting declared June 21 because the Worldwide Day of Yoga with the overwhelming help of member nations: 175 international locations joined as co-sponsors, the very best quantity for any Basic Meeting decision. “Since then, tens of millions of individuals have taken half within the celebrations yearly internationally”, Sandhu stated.

Readily available on the Yoga Day occasion on the Nationwide Mall was particular visitor Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan, the fifteenth director of the Nationwide Science Basis (NSF), who counseled Sandhu for his tireless service in selling India-US ties.

“You may have been an incredible advocate, a terrific pal – a private pal and a pal of america,” he informed the ambassador. “You’re selling a useful partnership between the 2 nations. You’re a tireless employee,” he stated.

In his remarks to the gathering, Panchanathan spoke of the deep connection between yoga and science. “Yoga connotes unity, uniting in each type of each sort, uniting the physique, the thoughts and spirit in order that we would have a wholesome, completely satisfied and affluent life. On the similar time, yoga can be uniting the world, bringing individuals collectively” no matter geographical location or different divides, he stated.

“Yoga is actually a uniting drive, actually a drive bringing individuals collectively all internationally”, he stated, applauding the traditional apply as “a terrific present by India to all of humanity.”

Learn: Indian embassy organises Yoga session in Washington DC forward of Worldwide Day of Yoga (June 18, 2022)

Each Panchanathan and Sandhu participated in performing the yog ‘asanas’ (postures) within the widespread yoga protocol, together with tons of of attendees seated on mats which have been unfold out on the sprawling garden of the Washington Monument.

“I want all of you an invigorating morning of yoga,” the ambassador informed the gang and shared an apt quote by Modi, “In a world of extra, yoga guarantees restrain and steadiness. In a world affected by psychological stress, yoga guarantees calm. In a distracted world, yoga helps focus, improves focus. And in a world of concern, yoga guarantees hope and braveness.”