Bengaluru, June 21: From conflict-ridden areas to corporate skyscrapers to the devotional space, yoga has brought together the whole world in a spirit of unity never seen before. From delivering a glimpse of inner peace to over 3700 people in the capital city of the conflict-ridden Manipur to Mumbaikars - who performed yoga at the Marine Drive undeterred by the rain; From 7000 Art of Living teachers & volunteers joining the Prime Minister at Rajpath to taking this ancient practice to the Indo-Pak border at Hussainiwala: The Art of Living marked the celebrations with unique events across the globe, reinforcing that yoga is truly universal.
While India took the lead, The Art of Living volunteers from 132 countries across the globe marked the first-ever International Yoga day with equal fervor. As Paris added a unique twist to the day by practicing yoga on boats across the river Seine, Nepal rose with the world to yoga in front of their iconic Pashupatinath temple. China too joined in with over 500 students exploring yoga at the Peking University. Many countries like Russia, South America, UAE, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, Kuwait, Jordan and Sri Lanka contributed with their enthusiastic participation.
Multiple cities in Russia, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia took to celebrating the day with a lot of zeal and passion.
"Yoga is something that can unite people across the globe, across nations, across religious divides. Everyone can come together with the spirit of togetherness. Yoga is not just about asanas, it is a state of mind where you have a sense of belongingness, responsibility for the whole planet, and a sense of connectivity and harmony. This one thing can unite and bring solace to people across the world. What we need is humanness and humanness can blossom when people are free from stress, tension and depression,” says Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of The Art of Living who has been working for the spread of yoga since 35 years.
As the keynote speaker, Gurudev will preside over the UN celebrations of the International Day of Yoga at the UN headquarters in New York. India’s minister for external affairs, Sushma Swaraj, and UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon will also be present at the event.
In a separate event later today, Gurudev will also address 5500 New Yorkers at the Lincoln center on the topic: ‘Yoga - a New Dimension’
The embracing of yoga around the world is a warm testimony to yoga’s unique international phenomenon.
INDIA EVENTS - HIGHLIGHTS | Partial listing
- About 7000 from The Art of Living will participate in the historic event with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rajpath.
- About 600 Mumbaikars including Police personnel brave the rains and do yoga at their city’s landmark, Marine Drive in an event co-organized by The Art of Living.
- Noida stadium witnessed about 2,000 people do Yoga on 21st June along with Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma.
- 1500 policemen become part of the worldwide Yoga celebrations with The Art of Living at Rajasthan Police Academy in Jaipur.
- 1800 inmates of the Central Jail of Varanasi do Yoga and meditation conducted by The Art of Living.
- Among many events by The Art of Living in Nagpur, one of them will witness the heads of the Panchayat and about 5000 farmers do Yoga together.
- The Art of Living conducted Yoga and Meditation session for 300 military personnel and 100 volunteers at the India-Pakistan Border at Hussainiwala, in Ferozepur, Punjab.
- In Jharkhand, 8000 people do Yoga along with Chief Minister, Raghuvar Das in an event co-organized by The Art of Living and Patanjali Yogapeeth. The inmates of 20 jails of the state become part of the worldwide celebrations of Yoga by The Art of Living.
- The Art of Living and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), in collaboration, are organizing a Yoga and Meditation event for 5000 people.
- The Ridge in Shimla, famous as a tourist spot, witnessed about 1000 people do Yoga on 21st June in an event co-organized by The Art of Living. Union Human Resource Development, Smriti Irani graced the occasion.
- The Art of Living chapter of Surat district along with the government authorities have organized Yoga sessions for more than 6 lakh people at 102 locations.
- After Delhi, Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, was a spectator to 15,000 people do Yoga along with Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh in an event organized by The Art of Living, Patanjali Yogapeeth, Nehru Yuva Kendra and CRPF. Dinesh Sharma, Mayor also attended.
- The Art of Living led around 4,500 Air Force personnel in yoga at the Air Force Station in Bengaluru.
- In Haryana, 2000 inmates have done Yoga with The Art of Living at jails in Sonipat, Rewari, Kurukshetra and Karnal.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS - HIGHLIGHTS | Partial listing (Estimated numbers)
- The President of Mauritius, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, will grace The Art of Living’s Yoga celebrations in the country.
- The President of Fiji, Epeli Nailatikau, will grace The Art of Living’s Yoga celebrations.
- In Paris, 120 Art of Living enthusiasts will do Yoga on a boat on the river Seine.
- 500 students will explore Yoga in Peking University in Beijing, China in an Art of Living-organized event.
- In Nigeria, the National Stadium in Lagos will witness hundreds do Yoga in an event organized by The Art of Living, United Nations, Nigeria Olympic Committee and Sewa International.
- Oman will witness a Yoga event organized by The Art of Living in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Indian Embassy.
- Cambodia: The Art of Living is organizing events at two major landmarks - Wat Onalum & Angkor Wat of the country.