The Indian High Commission in Dhaka celebrated the International Day of Yoga along with yoga enthusiasts from Bangladesh on Wednesday at the Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium, Mirpur, Dhaka.
The event witnessed a large turnout, with participants from various walks of life coming together to celebrate the ancient science of yoga, which originated in India.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma highlighted the significance of yoga as a gift of India to the world.
“Yoga, being an integral part of the shared cultural heritage of India and Bangladesh, can further serve as a unifying force, promoting physical and mental well-being among our people,” he said.
He emphasized that the G20 presidency of India in 2023 reinforces India's commitment to fostering global partnerships for sustainable development, and yoga is a catalyst for this positive change.
The event featured yoga performances led by yoga practitioners and experts, the high commission said.
Dhaka TribuneParticipants had the opportunity to engage in different yoga practices, enhancing their understanding of this ancient discipline and its transformative effects.
The theme of International Day of Yoga 2023 is yoga for “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” representing the desire for “one earth, one family, one future,” which resonates deeply with India's presidency of the G20 this year.
Yoga is a practice that provides physical and mental balance along with emotional stability to meet modern life challenges successfully.
Responding to a call by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014 declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
The day is celebrated across the world through various activities and programs related to yoga and health.
It is being celebrated for the last nine years, resulting in yoga emerging as an important public health movement throughout the world, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Harmony between mind and body
WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Poonam Khetrapal Singh, in a message, said the purpose of the International Day of Yoga is to increase public awareness of the various advantages of yoga practice.
"Balance is the key component of yoga, not simply balance within the body or between the mind and body, but also an equilibrium in one's interaction with the outside world. The virtues of attention, moderation, discipline, and perseverance are emphasized in yoga. Yoga gives a way to live sustainably when it is applied to societies and communities," she said.
"Yoga practices focus on bringing harmony between mind and body as also between human being and nature. Yoga helps in attaining psycho-physiological wellbeing, emotional balance; and coping with routine stress. It is well known that yogic practices such as Yogasanas (Physical postures), Pranayama (Breathing practices), Dhyana (meditation), cleansing, relaxation practices, etc, help modify and regulate the responses to stressors and are beneficial in stress and its consequences."
Numerous randomized controlled studies have shown the efficacy of yogic practices in the management of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchial asthma, diabetes, sleep disorders, depression, and obesity, said the WHO director.
