ADDRESS BY AMBASSADOR
(OSH; 21ST JUNE, 2023; 1800 HRS)
Deputy Mayor of the City of Osh His Excellency Mr. Nurbek Kadyrov,
Rector of Osh State University Mr. Kudaiberdi Kozhobekov,
Friends from the media,
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good Evening!
I am extremely delighted to welcome all of you to the celebration of the 9th International Day of Yoga. While addressing the United Nations General Assembly in September 2014, Prime Minister of India H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi suggested for the adoption of an International Day of Yoga. Following his urge, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution on 11th December, 2014 to declare 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, eight International Days of Yoga have been celebrated beginning 2015 in which millions of people across the globe, including in the Kyrgyz Republic, have taken part. Many have made yoga a part of their daily life and have thereby transformed it into a global health movement.
- To recall, the UNGA resolution recognized that Yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being. It also held that wider dissemination of information about the befits of practicing yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population. Yoga comprises of simple exercises that help in uniting the mind and the body. It helps in bringing about inner peace and tranquility. I am happy to inform you that in collaboration with the Government of India, the World Health Organization has launched the WHO mYoga app. It has videos and audio files to help people to practice yoga and thereby stay active and healthy.
- Yoga, which is a gift of ancient Indian tradition, has increasingly become popular all over the world. The theme of the International Day of Yoga this year is “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” which means “The World is One Family”. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life, that is, human, animal, plant, and micro-organisms and their inter-connectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. Keeping in tune with this theme, we are celebrating the International Day of Yoga this year to raise awareness in our worldwide family of the many benefits of practicing yoga. Here at the Embassy of India in Bishkek, we are conducting Yoga classes free of cost to encourage all to practice Yoga.
- We are extremely grateful to the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and to the Mayor of Osh for the excellent support that we have received over these years for celebrating the International Day of Yoga in the Kyrgyz Republic. The celebrations this year began at Issyk-Kul on 11thJune and were held in Bishkek on 17thJune. It is being held today simultaneously in the cities of Osh, Kant and Jalal-Abad. We are extremely thankful to you, Vice Mayor and your outstanding Team, for the excellent arrangements made today in Osh. We are grateful to the Rector of the Osh State University and the University students, to the Yoga Mama Group, and the media for lending their support. I thank my colleagues in the Embassy for their collective efforts in preparing for this event.
- Above all, I would like to thank you all Yoga enthusiasts for joining us today to celebrate the International Yoga Day and for making it a grand success. I wish you all good-health and success in all your endeavours.
- Thank you once again!
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21st June, 2023
