Doha, Qatar: The Indian Embassy, Qatar, successfully organised, with the support and cooperation of Ministry of Youth and Sports of Qatar and Indian Cultural Centre & other community fora, a public celebration of the first International Day of Yoga on Sunday, 21 June evening 9 PM at Al Arabi Sports Club.
Indian Ambassador Sanjiv Arora escorted the Chief Guest of the evening Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mutaib Al Rumaihi and Faleh Al Naemi, from QPost to the dais.
Meanwhile a short documentary film about yoga’s benefits was displayed and the Ambassador also read out excerpts from the Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly [UNGA] of 27 September 2014, regarding observing 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. He also highlighted the fact that Yoga was a part of Indian civilization and ethos and had evolved through our ancient way of life and now belonged to the world.
Speaking on occasion Indian Ambassador Sanjeev Arora spoke about a healthy life and gave a call to adopt Yoga for a stress free daily life.
Sanjeev Arora highlighted the fact that it is an India’s Resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to declare 21 June as the International Day of Yoga that was unanimously adopted on 11 December 2014, with a record co-sponsorship of 177 countries, including Qatar.
Meanwhile QPost released a stamp to mark the International Yoga Day. More than 1000 people gathered at the stadium with Indian diplomats and community leaders leading from the front.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Message on the occasion of First International Day of Yoga
The whole world is committed, determined and looking forward to June 21, the International Day of Yoga. India feels proud of the fact that the UN has taken this mission forward. 177 countries of the world co-sponsored it, and India’s invaluable heritage has become the world’s invaluable heritage today.
It is an attempt to connect I to the We, it is an endeavour to connect our world with the universe, an attempt to let the unity of body and soul be felt and the world, which is moving towards isolation today, each member of family is isolated, we feel lonely even in a crowd. Each country feels isolated in the world.
This situation is not in our collective interest. To connect is the part of natural order. Connecting body to soul and for this Yoga is the medium. How should we connect with nature, connect with our near and dear ones, how to connect with one’s self? How should I connect with my inner self? In our society one witnesses rampant stress. Is there no way out of this stress?
If we really wish to have a stable, stress free life, we need to have a stable inner self. The opportunity of stability of inner self comes through practice of Yoga when we attempt to explore our inner self everyday for a certain period time.
The ways of Yoga make it easier to achieve this feat. I firmly believe that through International Day of Yoga the world, which is suffering from the dilemma of stress, a person who is stressful, a person who cannot share his problems even with his near ones may attain the inner strength to get rid of stress by connecting with the inner self.
And finally, if a person is able to get rid of stress, society at large will be free of stress. A stress free society makes for a stress free human race; and if the human race is free of stress, this universe will certainly be a place to rejoice in a happy peaceful and harmonious environment.
So, a big dream starts with a small beginning with Yoga. I heartily felicitate the international community for supporting the International Day of Yoga. May this attempt make your life stress-free, may it fill your life with joy, may you learn to live in the present, may you realize your own strength and potential, may you find the way to make your inner energies more potent.
You see, if it benefits you, be sure it holds the betterment of the whole world in it. Yoga is something that you need to begin with yourself.
Today, the world has adopted it. It is beneficial not only for those who believe in preventive health, but also for those who believe in holistic health. Today, some in the young generation are misguided in following the path of violence and suicide, and leading a life of depression, Yoga I think, is the easiest way to save them.
Let us all connect with this great discipline for the welfare of humanity, let us connect with this great heritage. This is a heritage of the humanity and the world. This heritage is your heritage. And it is our responsibility to hand over this great heritage to the future generation in the best possible manner. And today let us equip ourselves for this noble task.
My best wishes to you on the International Day of Yoga.
