- International Day of Yoga 2021: Prime Minister’s address to be the highlight of televised lead event on 21st June 2021
- Digital buzz will ensure that the world observes yet International Yoga Day 2021
Owing to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in congregational activities, the lead event of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2021 will be a televised programme, with PM’s address being the highlight. Scheduled to start at 6.30 AM on all Doordarshan channels, the event will also include an address by Minister of State for Ayush, Kiren Rijiju and a live Yoga demonstration by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga.
The 7th International Day of Yoga comes up at a time when the world fights COVID-19. But the pandemic doesn’t seem to have dampened the enthusiasm for Yoga, going by the buzz observed in the digital space in the last few weeks. The Ministry of Ayush, the nodal Ministry for IDY, has highlighted the important role of Yoga in one’s overall wellbeing, through various activities organised in the run up to the International Day of Yoga (IDY). The main theme of IDY 2021 is “Yoga for Wellness”. Numerous digital initiatives taken by the Ministry together with nearly 1000 other stake-holding institutions made the practice of Yoga accessible to the public, despite the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The Missions of India abroad are coordinating various activities in the run up to the 21st June in their respective countries, and as per reports, Yoga Day will be observed in about 190 countries globally.
The observance of Yoga Day is topical, as health is foremost and the first concern of everyone today, more so after the Covid- 19 pandemic. It is significant that the key purpose behind the United Nations recognising the 21st of June as the IDY was to underline the potential of Yoga in public health globally. The IDY resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in December 2014, came only because of the proactive vision of the PM, Narendra Modi. It was passed by unanimous consent, a record! Since 2015, the IDY has evolved into a mass movement for health, around the world; with many taking the Yoga-regime to health, healing & happiness.