The United Nations (UN)’s International Day of Yoga(IDY) is annually observed across the globe on 21st June to create awareness about the importance of Yoga and promote the benefits of practising yoga.
- 21st June 2022 marks the observance of the 8th International Day of Yoga.
- The theme of International Day of Yoga 2022 is “Yoga for Humanity”.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/69/131 on 11th December 2014 and proclaimed the 21st June of every year as the International Day of Yoga.
ii.The first ever International Day of Yoga was observed at the United Nations on 21st June 2015.
Why June 21?
21st June, the Summer solstice was chosen to mark the IDY since the day also holds several special significance across the globe.
Note:
- During his maiden address at the 69th session of the UNGA on 27th September 2014, Prime Minister(PM) of India Narendra Modi proposed to declare June 21st as the International Day of Yoga.
- This was the first such initiative proposed and implemented by any country in the UNGA in less than 75 days.
UN Events:
The World of Yoga:
As a part of the International Day of Yoga 2022, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN is showcasing “The World of Yoga” exhibition at the UN Delegates’ Entrance from 21st June 2022 to 1st July 2022.
Learn Yoga from the Masters:
The Permanent Mission of India to the UN has also organised an event “Learn Yoga from the Masters” featuring a lecture and yoga demonstration at the North Lawn of UN Headquarters in New York, United States of America(USA).
Observance in India:
On the occasion of the 8th IDY, Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi participated in the Mass yoga Demonstration at Mysore Palace ground, Mysuru, Karnataka.
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Mass yoga demonstrations are organised at 75 iconic locations across India under the leadership of 75 Union Ministers.
Key People:
Thawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka, Basavaraj Bommai, Chief Minister of Karnataka and Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways & Ministry of AYUSH Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy participated in the event.
Key Points:
PM Modi also inaugurated the “Digital yoga exhibition” showcasing the latest technologies like Virtual Reality to project the history and wisdom of Yoga.
He also visited the Ayush exhibition featuring the 146 stalls of yoga institutions, Ayush institutions under the ambit of the Government of Karnataka and the Government of India are participating.
The Guardian Ring programme:
As a part of the 8th International Day of Yoga, the government of India has envisaged a unique, one of a king and innovative programme “The Guardian Ring” to celebrate the movement of the Sun, underlining the concept of ‘One Sun, One Earth’.
- As a part of the programme, people from all the countries in 16 different time zones along with the rising sun(from East to West), would welcome the sun with yoga, celebrating the Indian Tradition of Surya Namaskar or sun salutation.
Key Points:
i.The programme is telecasted on DD India(Doordarshan), the international channel of India’s Public Broadcaster Prasar Bharati.
ii.Around 80 Indian Missions and Embassies are organising Yoga Events on a grand scale at iconic locations in their countries.
- The programme kicked off in Japan, the land of the rising sun.
iii.DD India has ensured seamless streaming of 80 Yoga Events from all over the world in a marathon broadcast from 3 AM to 10 PM.
iv.The programme will further spread the message of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” and showcase the unification power of India’s yoga tradition.
PM’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution towards the Development and Promotion of Yoga 2021:
i.The government of India has announced the winners of the Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution towards the Development and Promotion of Yoga 2021, one of the most coveted honours in the field of Yoga.
ii.The 2021 awards are presented to 2 individuals and 2 organisations.
Winners of the 2021 award:
| Winner | Category |
|---|---|
| Marcus Vinicius Rojo Rodrigues, Sao Paulo, Brazil | International Individual |
| British Wheel of Yoga, United Kingdom | International Organisation |
| Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Sanghasena, Leh, Ladakh | National Individual |
| The Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand | National Organisation |
Note: The winners were honoured with a Trophy, Certificate and a Cash Award of Rs 25 lakh each.
About the award:
On the occasion of the 2nd IDY(2016) celebrations, PM Modi announced the awards for the Outstanding Contribution towards the Development and Promotion of Yoga.
The guidelines of the awards were developed by the Ministry of Ayush.
Additional info:
i.Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu participated in the event organised by the Ministry of Tourism at Parade Ground in Secunderabad, Telangana.
- G. Kishan Reddy Union Minister, Ministry of Tourism & Ministry of Culture, and Olympian PV Sindhu (Badminton) also participated in the event in Hyderabad, Telangana.
ii.Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister(CM) of Haryana released a book titled “Ashtang Yoga” authored by Dr Sonu Phogat.
iii.Narayan Tatu Rane, Union Minister, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises(MoMSME) inaugurated the IYD celebrations in Pune, Maharashtra. The event was orgnised by Phugewadi metro station in Pimpri Chinchvad Municipal Corporation.
- As a part of the event, the first 1000 visitors gets a joy ride from Phugewadi to Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation and back. The free ride was sponsored by MoMSME.
