International Yoga Day 2023

Latest Context

On 21^st June, the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated by organizing a variety of events and initiatives across the country. The theme of this year was, "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," which promotes India's socio-cultural heritage and encourages unity.

Key Highlights of IYD 2023

• Promoting Tribal Artisans: To supply yoga mats exclusively made by tribal artisans, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) collaborated with the Ministry of Ayush. These yoga mats show the different cultural heritage of India's tribes, folklore, stories, and artistic traditions. In addition, TRIFED will point out the products and communities like Sabai Grass Yoga Mats from Mayurbhanj, Madur mats or Madhurkathi from Medinipur, and Gondha Grass mats from Jharkhand.
• Ocean Ring of Yoga: Merchant ships and Indian Navy will conduct yoga demonstrations at the ports and vessels of friendly countries in order to foster global participation.
• Yoga from the Arctic to Antarctica: To organize yoga events in countries along the Prime Meridian line and UN member countries there has been a coordination between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Ayush. To showcase yoga's reach to extreme regions, Yoga sessions were held at Himadri in the Arctic and Bharati in Antarctica.
• Yoga Bharatmala and Yoga Sagarmala: Indian armed forces comprising Border Security Force (BSF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Border Roads Organization (BRO), organized a chain of yoga demonstrations. Yoga Sagarmala will show yoga on the Indian coastline and yoga demonstrations on the flight deck of INS Vikrant.
• National Level Initiatives: At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the Prime Minister will lead yoga in order to demonstrate a global commitment to yoga. The Ministry of Ayush promotes "Har Aangan Yoga" that means Yoga in the courtyard of every house that enables yoga observation at the village level.

Historical Background and Significance

Background: During the opening of the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in 2014, the idea of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) was proposed by India.

• By passing a resolution in December 2014, the UN proclaimed 21st June as IDY.
• In 2015 at Rajpath in New Delhi, the first Yoga Day celebrations created two Guinness World Records.
• With the participation of 35,985 people, It was the world's largest yoga session.
• Persons belonging to 84 nationals participated in it.

Yoga and its Significance:

• Yoga originated in India. It is considered an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice to keep body and mind healthy, and energetic.
• As far as the meaning of the word ‘yoga’ is concerned, it is derived from Sanskrit having meaning to join or to unite symbolizes the union of body and consciousness.
• Currently, around the world, it is practiced in various forms and seamlessly growing in popularity.
• It plays a very significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of Covid-19 patients in quarantine and isolation.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) instructed its member states to practice Yoga. WHO mentioned yoga in its Global Action Plan for physical activity 2018-30.

Other Yoga-Related Initiatives

• M-Yoga App: The M-Yoga App announced by the Prime Minister will help in achieving the ambitious target ‘One World One Health’. This app is a joint collaboration between the WHO and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
• Vocational Education Courses in Yoga: There are many vocational education courses in Yoga for CBSE schools under Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC). As far as B&WSSC is concerned, it is established as a non-profit organization under the aegis of the National Skill Development Corporation, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
• Various Skilling initiatives: Through various skilling initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), countless candidates have been trained as yoga instructors and trainers.
• Fit India Movement: Yoga is an integral part of the Fit India Movement. It is a nationwide campaign with the objective to encourage people to include physical activities and sports in their everyday lives.
• New Website for International Day of Yoga (IDY): All the updated and relevant information relating to the International Day of Yoga is provided by this web portal. Under this web portal, all the social media interactive platforms are available for the visitors to keep track of the discussions and participate in them. It is also connected to important web pages like Swachh Bharat, Make in India, etc.
• Yoga Recognized as a Sports Discipline: After reviewing the categorization of various Sports disciplines, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, recognized Yoga as a sports discipline and placed it in the ‘Priority’ category in September 2015.
• Common Yoga Protocol: In its ‘Common Yoga Protocol’, the Ministry of Ayush has listed Yama, Niyama, Asana, etc. among popular yoga ‘sadhanas’.

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