- Thursday, April 24, 2025
The yoga session is generating a lot of anticipation and will feature children performing yoga on stage, making it a unique event.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIAN PRIME minister Narendra Modi will on Wednesday (21) lead a yoga session at the United Nations headquarters in New York to celebrate the ninth International Day of Yoga. His latest trip to the US is part of a state visit at the invitation of president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden who will host him over a dinner in Washington on Thursday (22).
This year’s event holds special significance as it marks the first time Modi will be present at the world body’s headquarters to lead the yoga session.
The celebration, which was initially proposed by the Indian leader nine years ago when he first became the PM in a speech in the UN General Assembly, has now become a UN-mandated occasion.
India’s permanent representative to the UN ambassador Ruchira Kamboj told PTI in an interview that the yoga celebration this year will be a very “unique occasion” because it was Modi who had given this vision and it was his leadership that ensured that June 21 every year is celebrated as International Yoga Day.
“So about nine years later, the author of that vision comes to the United Nations,” she said.
The yoga session is generating a lot of anticipation and will feature children performing yoga on stage, making it a unique event.
The participation from top UN officials, envoys, and prominent individuals from around the world adds to the excitement.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres emphasised the unifying power of yoga and its benefits for mental well-being and global harmony.
“It unites body and mind, humanity and nature and millions of people across the globe for whom it is a source of strength, harmony and peace,” he said.
“In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm, it can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection,” the diplomat added.
The session will be held at the North Lawn, where a bust of Mahatma Gandhi is installed, and Modi will pay his respects to the iconic leader.
Participants are encouraged to wear yoga-friendly attire, and yoga mats will be provided. People from more than 180 countries are expected to join the celebrations, representing various walks of life. The event has garnered enthusiasm from UN officials, member states, and diplomatic missions.
Since its inception in 2015, the International Day of Yoga has been observed worldwide, highlighting the universal appeal and benefits of yoga.
The UN recognised yoga as an ancient practice originating in India that unites the body and consciousness. The establishment of the International Day of Yoga was proposed by Modi and endorsed by 175 member states, underscoring its global significance.
(With agency inputs)
