In a unique event, the first of its kind, the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, organised a special yoga session for the 3rd International Day of Yoga (IDY) for nearly 100 diplomats from scores of Diplomatic Missions
in New Delhi. The participation at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was led by the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Smt Sushma Swaraj and attended by MEA officers.
In her brief remarks at the beginning of the event, EAM recalled global support for Prime Minister Modi's initiative in 2014 for the United Nations to designate 21st June as International Day of Yoga. She stressed that Yoga belongs not merely to India, but
to the whole world and is a complete system for well being and harmony within ourselves, as well as with nature and the world. EAM thanked the international community for its tremendous support for yoga's recognition at UNESCO as intangible heritage of mankind,
and for the enthusiastic celebration of IDY in all nations over the past three years at iconic global locations and world capitals.
The Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors/High Commissioners and diplomats of several countries twisted, turned and stretched, practiced key asanas and pranayam, synchronyzing their breath with their movements and with the energy of thousands of
yoga practitioners all over the world. There was considerable enthusiasm on the occasion and with diplomats turning out in large numbers from the Missions of countries near and far, the main auditorium of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was packed to capacity.
In line with EAM's emphasis on yoga's significance for world peace, the special event saw- also for the first time- a unique rendering of 11 ancient prayers (Sanskrit shlokas) for peace, brotherhood and harmony. All the prayers for peace ended with chanting
of shanti, shanti, shanti (peace, peace and peace).
New Delhi
June 21, 2017
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