Srinagar, June 20: On the occasion of the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the celebrations at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) here Friday.
This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Self and Society’ emphasises yoga’s vital role in fostering both individual well-being and societal harmony.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush and Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav and other dignitaries will also join the programme led by PM Modi.
The event aims to bring together thousands of participants carrying the message to promote global health and wellness through the practice of yoga.
On the occasion, the PM will address the gathering and participate in the Common Yoga Protocol session, highlighting yoga’s significance in nurturing physical, mental, and spiritual growth.
To maximise the inclusiveness of yoga benefits, PM Modi has also written a letter to all the Gram Pradhans saying, “At the grassroots level, I urge you to make holistic health, a people-led movement by spreading more awareness about yoga and millets.”
As in earlier IDY editions, the PM’s letter is sure to surge yoga activities around IDY in Panchayats, Anganwadi and Community Health Centers among others.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav along with Secretary Ayush Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha and senior officers from J&K on Thursday visited SKICC in Srinagar, the venue of the Friday’s main event, and took note of various preparations on the ground.
Preparations are in full swing to make the IDY main event an uplifting experience for all yoga enthusiasts.
Since the inception of IDY in 2015, PM Modi has been a pivotal figure in its promotion, hosting celebrations at various iconic locations worldwide, including Kartavya Path in Delhi, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Ranchi, Lucknow, Mysuru, and the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
This year’s celebrations will span across the country, with a notable event termed ‘Yoga for Space’, wherein all the centres and units of ISRO will have programmes on the practice of CYP or Common Yoga Protocol.
ISRO autonomous bodies will also participate in the CYP practice on June 21.
Along with this active participation from the Gaganyaan project team is also scheduled for June 21.
Observance of IDY at Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari is also in full swing.
Globally, embassies and Indian missions abroad will join the celebrations, reflecting yoga’s widespread influence.
This year IDY is witnessing events such as ‘Yoga for Space’, an initiative with the support of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Over 7000 people from various walks of life will gather with the PM on the banks of Dal Lake, Srinagar, to mark this special occasion.
Secretary of Ayush, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha recently in a gathering highlighted the journey of IDY, emphasising its role in promoting health, social values, and a sense of community.
The ‘Whole of Government’ approach to IDY celebrations includes coordinated efforts across various government departments and active participation from State governments and union territories.
The National Ayush Mission team is also organising countrywide events, demonstrating yoga’s impact on holistic health.
In Delhi, the Ministry of Ayush has partnered with the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to organise mass yoga events.
To engage the masses, the Ministry of Ayush has launched several contests and activities, including the ‘Yoga with Family’ video contest in partnership with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) on the MyGov and MyBharat platforms.
This contest encourages families worldwide to showcase the joy of yoga and reinforce family bonds, with submissions due by June 30, 2024.
Participants in the #YogaWithFamily video contest have the chance to win exciting prizes while promoting yoga’s message of health and unity.
Major hashtags for the event, among others include #InternationalDayofYoga2024, #YogaForSelfAndSociety, #YogaWithFamily, and #IDY2024.
People around the world are being encouraged to use these hashtags to join this global celebration of yoga.