INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY
Disclaimer: The views and the opinion expressed in this article are those of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views and positions of Public Policy and Governance Society IIT Kharagpur.
Introduction:
The United Nations declared June 21st as the official International Day of Yoga as an initiative of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi .The recoed was also made when 177 nations across the world Approved the resolution .The date 21st June was suggested as it is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere In 2015 the Reserve Bank of India issued a 10 rupee coin to mark the International Yoga Day.
Yoga is a defined as a state of harmony between the the body and mind, rendering us physical strength and mental strength. The first International Day of Yoga was observed around the world on 21 June 2015.This was the largest worldwide held Yoga with Participation of 84 Nations. The Ministry of AYUSH regulates and Organize the events of Yoga in India. The most unique feature of the Day is that it includes the `theme` every time it is celebrated. The `theme` for 2023 is `Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam`. which means `The World is One Family` which is also included in ART(51) of the Indian Constitution .Its significance includes the holistic approach to Health and the Attaining stability with the recent mental ,emotional sufferings.
The themes of the past years :
2015 - “Yoga for Harmony and Peace”
2016 - “ Connect the Youth”
2017 - “Yoga for Health”
2018 - “Yoga for Peace”
2019 - “Climate Action”
2020 - “Yoga for Health -Yoga at Home”
2021 - “Yoga for Wellness”
2022 - “Yoga for Humanity”
History of Modern Yoga
Swami Vivekananda was largely responsible for the spread of yoga to western societies. It was more focused on physical well-being. Yoga spread to the First World countries in the Mid-nineteenth century. Such was the long and enduring journey that yoga undertook to reach the 21st century! It has had various contributors and undergone many changes. Despite all this, the essence of yoga remains becoming one with your self, spirit and the world around you.
Ancient Vs Modern Yoga
In olden times, people lived lives that were intertwined with nature. They were in their natural state and evolved in that state. There was an understanding of the symbiotic relationship between the body and the mind. To achieve this, control of breath and self-realization are important. The idea of using yoga for treatment of diseases, physical fitness and to achieve freedom from stress is a modern, and rather, superficial perspective.
In ancient times, yoga was not just a means to remove diseases. For instance, the emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness was present in ancient times as well. But, this did not refer to only brushing, washing and general morning ablutions. It included keeping your mind, and by extension, your thought process also, pure and clean. In other words, it led to all-round wellness.
Initiatives by Ministry ,2023
- The Ministry of AYUSH has undertaken several flagship initiatives to encourage widespread participation on the 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY-2023).
- One of the initiatives is the ‘100 Days, 100 Cities, and 100 Organizations’ campaign organized by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga. This campaign, held from March 13th to June 21st, aims to promote and share knowledge of yoga among people nationally, emphasizing improving their health and well-being.
- A unique program called the ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ will be introduced on June 21st, where yoga demonstrations will take place at various port and ships with the collaboration of the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of External Affairs, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. This initiative aims to showcase the transformative power of yoga in fostering global unity ,aligning with the theme of ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam’ for this year.