International Day of Yoga
Speech of Dr. T.V. Nagendra Prasad, Ambassador of India, Astana
June 21, 2024

Namaste!

 Mr. Maulen Ashimbayev, Hon’ble Chairperson of the Senate of the Parliament

Mr. Yerzhan Yerkinbayev, Vice-Minister of Tourism & Sports
Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator in Kazakhstan
Representatives of various Kazakh Ministries and Departments, Colleague Ambassadors and Members of Diplomatic Corps

Members of Yoga Family Astana and Dear Friends

I welcome you all to the celebration of the 10th edition of the International Day of Yoga.  India is proud to share the wealth of its rich ancestral heritage such as Yoga, Ayurveda etc with the World, as a Friend to the World- in Sanskrit -Vishwa Bandhu. When India introduced the resolution at the United Nations a decade back, it received broad global support with 177 nations supporting it and UN General Assembly passed it unanimously.  Since then, the number of Yoga practitioners grew exponentially across the world.

 Today we gathered at this iconic Palace of Peace & Reconciliation, which is a symbol for harmony among diverse faiths and religions of the World, fittingly to celebrate Yoga which has been embraced by diverse cultures across the world.

 In the past,  Yogis, who practiced Yoga,  hailed only from India, but today,  Yoga has become so ubiquitous and  actively and widely practised  across the continents, now Yogis can emerge from anywhere.

Since 2015, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated all over Kazakhstan regularly with the active participation of Kazakh brothers and sisters from all walks of life and age.  I am happy to share that over 30 celebrations in about 25 cities are being held in the month of June 2024 indicating the deep interest and the effectiveness of Yoga practice for holistic health.  Also, the grand scale celebration and adoption of Yoga in Kazakhstan points to close and civilisational linkages enjoyed by India-Kazakhstan over the centuries.  

 Each International Day of Yoga had a theme. “Yoga for Self and Society”, the theme of this year, resonates well, as Yoga not only enhances physical health but also contributes to the social well-being, enlightenment, living in harmony etc.  Yoga is not just stretching and twisting the body. Yogic practices result in union of body, mind, and soul to bring about a state of calmness and inner happiness.  Idea behind this theme is to promote Yoga as a tool for betterment of individual, society, nation and humanity as a whole which would usher global peace and development.

 On the occasion of 10 years, to promote Yoga, there is an interesting contest which has three prizes of USD 500, 300, 200 for Kazakh Yoga practitioners.  For details please visit our Website, participate and win the prize.  

 Excellencies and friends,

Today’s Celebration of Yoga Day is the result of combined efforts of Embassy of India, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, our Kazakh partners including teams of various Kazakh Ministries, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, Astana Mayor’s Office and Astana Security and Police Services. I also take this opportunity to appreciate my team at the Mission for successfully organising this grand event and spreading the message of peace and harmony through Yoga.

 I would like to commend the efforts Yoga Family Astana comprising of more than 100 Yoga Centres and 300 Teachers for the success of today’s event.  A special appreciation to Sundar who has been extending support to several events in the run upto this event. Also, thanks to all those who joined this event with enthusiasm and those who already performed 108 Sun salutations this morning.

 In conclusion, I would like to suggest  that making Yoga an integral part of daily life  would greatly help to overcome the challenges of current busy and multi-tasking life styles. My best wishes to all of you for a very happy Yoga and healthy life!

 Om Shanti Shanti Shanti hi! Meaning Peace be there in the world.

 Thank you!