INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY
On June 21st, 2015 ‘International Yoga Day’ was celebrated for the first time all over the world. A proposal was made by the Prime Minister of IndiaShriNarendraModi to the United Nations in this regard. While addressing the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014, the Honorable Prime Minister of India ShriNarendraModi urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga.[1]
On December 11 2014, the 193 member UNGA approved the proposal by consensus with a record 177 countries co-sponsoring a resolution to establish 21st June as “International Day of Yoga”. In its resolution, the UNGA recognized that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being and wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practicing Yoga for the health of the world population. Yoga also brings harmony in all walks of life and thus, is known for disease prevention, health promotion and management of many lifestyle related disorders.[2] It is also for the first time that such an initiative has been proposed and implemented by any country in the UN body in less than 90 days. Through the resolution, adopted under the agenda of “Global Health and Foreign Policy,”[3]
In his message on the passage of the resolution, UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said in declaring 21 June the International Day of Yoga, the General Assembly has brought attention to the holistic benefits of the ancient practice on health and well-being in the modern world. UN General Assembly President Sam Kutesa said that more than 177 countries have supported the proposal of the International Yoga Day, which shows the sum of the invisible and visible benefits of Yoga in the people of world. UN General Assembly President also congratulated the Prime Minister NarendraModi, whose initiative on June 21 every year has been declared the International Yoga Day.[4]
As far as the logo of International Yoga Day is concerned, folding of both hands in the logo symbolise Yoga, the union, which reflects the union of individual consciousness with that of universal consciousness, a perfect harmony between mind & body, man & nature; a holistic approach to health & well-being. The brown leaves symbolise the Earth element, the green leaves symbolise the Nature, blue symbolises the Water element, brightness symbolises the Fire element and the Sun symbolises the source of energy and inspiration. The logo reflects harmony and peace for humanity, which is the essence of Yoga.[5]
Yoga is an ancient art which was originated in India around five thousand years ago. Yoga is a good practice if one does in daily life. It helps to live healthy life style and better life forever. Yoga is a practice to bring body parts together to make a balance of body, mind and soul. It is considered that Yoga began in India in the pre-Vedic period. Since thousands of years Yoga has been part of the Indian lifestyle. It is India’s heritage. Yoga has the power to unite the entire human race. It is a perfect blend of knowledge, action and devotion. Countless people around the world have made Yoga a part of their lives. In many parts of the world, it has been spreading. But it is expected that it will spread rapidly after this announcement of the United Nations.The aim of the World Yoga Day is to make people aware of the benefits of Yoga in the world.
Written by-
Mohd. Imran –
Chair, Editorial Committee
Section for Law Students
Indian National Bar Association
[1] Common Yoga Protocol, Available at: http://mea.gov.in/idy-16.htm (Visited on June 20, 2017).
[2] CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA FRANKFURT, 20t June 2015: UN International Yoga Day, Available at: https://www.cgifrankfurt.de/pdf/IDY_8june2015.pdf (Visited on June 20, 2017).
[3] UN Declares 21st June as ‘International Yoga Day’, Available at: http://www.livemint.com/Politics/XwBRWckMUQrp5tBbly1v3I/UN-declares-21-June-as-International-Day-of-Yoga.html (Visited on 20 June 2017).
[4]International Yoga Day 21st June, Available at: http://all-essay.blogspot.in/2015/06/short-essay-on-international-yoga-day.html, (Visited on June 20, 2017).
[5] International Day of Yoga, Available at:http://idayofyoga.org/ (Visited on June 20, 2017).