International Yoga Day being celebrated across the World today

The 7th International Day of Yoga is being observed today. The main theme for this year is - Yoga for Wellness, which is aligned to the current pre-occupations. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent restrictions on congregational activities, the lead event of the International Day of Yoga will be a televised programme broadcast on all channels of Doordarshan. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the lead event at 6:30 this morning and after that all yoga related programmes will be held. The event will also include an address by Minister of State for Ayush Kiren Rijiju and a live Yoga demonstration by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.  

International Yoga Day is being observed in about 190 countries across the globe. Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said, his ministry will celebrate Yoga Day this year under the 'Yoga is an Indian Heritage' campaign. He said his Ministry has identified 75 cultural and historical places in the country where Yoga Day will be celebrated by following Covid protocol.

The Culture Minister also said that Yoga is very beneficial during the pandemic as it helps people recover from post covid complications.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 21st June as the International Day of Yoga (IDY) in their resolution adopted on 11th December 2014. Since 2015, the IDY has evolved into a mass movement for health, around the world. The observance of Yoga Day is timely as health is foremost in the thoughts of one and all today, following the Covid- 19 pandemic.

President Ram Nath Kovind has greeted the people on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. In his



message, the President said the vision of  India's ancient seers of bringing mind-body together to achieve holistic health and happiness has benefited millions over millennia. He termed Yoga as one of India’s great gifts to the world saying it can be especially helpful during Covid-19.

The President also did Yoga in the lawns of Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion.

In Chhattisgarh, more than a million people are doing the Yoga practice virtually today on the occasion of International Yoga day. The state government's Social Welfare Department and Chhattisgarh Yoga Commission have jointly organized a virtual yoga marathon. The event started today at 6:45 am and will continue for 24 hours.

Joining the world in celebrating International Day of Yoga, the Films Division is streaming short films, 'Celebrities Speak', highlighting the message Yoga for wellbeing by a number of social influencers. The films will be screened on the Films Division website and YouTube channel today. An on-line lecture and demonstration on Immunity through Yoga by Shri Ram Yogi Ji, a well-known yoga guru and fitness expert, for the employees of Films Division is another highlight of the celebration.

'Celebrities Speak...' is a collage of short films emphasizing the importance of Yoga for mental as well as physical wellbeing and features film, sports and other celebrities from all over India. Renowned artists including Asha Bhosale, Kabir Bedi, Mohanlal, Kamal Hasan and Punit Raj Kumar, cricketer Anil Kumble and many more share their experience of how Yoga and Pranayama help to bring balance between body, mind and soul.