THE High Commission of India will be observing its first ever “International Day of Yoga” on Sunday in collaboration with the Brahma Kumaris with the aim of promoting yoga, the ancient Indian art and science that has been in silent existence for decades.During a press briefing at the office of the Indian High Commission yesterday, Mr. V. Mahalingam, High Commissioner of India to Guyana, declared that the High Commission will be observing the occasion by way of a public event on Sunday at the Kalyan Shopping Plaza on Lamaha Street, Georgetown at 5:00 pm.

This event is expected to see leading personalities voicing their perspectives on yoga and its benefits, and this will be the highlight of the event.

In addition, the Brahma Kumaris will be hosting a special guest from their spiritual headquarters in India, Mr. Mohan Singhal, who will be here on a mission to address the International Day of Yoga event.

He will also address the launch of a countrywide initiative called “Awakening Inner Peace”, promoting the benefits of the ancient art of Raja Yoga meditation.
This initiative is in observance of the 40th anniversary of the Brahma Kumaris in Guyana, which began here in December 1975.

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on December 11th, 2014 approved the proposal of Prime Minister Modi of India, by consensus with a record of 177 co-sponsoring countries, to establish the 21st June as “International Day of Yoga”.

This day will be celebrated in over 190 countries by the Indian High Commissions/Embassies/Consulates in collaboration with various institutions. It will also be celebrated at the Multipurpose Centre, Perry Bay, St. John’s in Antigua and Barbuda and Tiranga Restaurant, Royal St. Kitts Hotel, Frigate Bay in St. Kitts. The Indian High Commission in Georgetown and the Brahma Kumaris will collaborate with other entities to host the event on Sunday in all three countries – Guyana, St. Kitts and Antigua and Barbuda.

H.E. Mr. V. Mahalingam has noted that the event will cater for all age groups and will be an interesting event, being its first year since its approval in 2014. There will be 177 countries sponsoring the events in the three countries who have all gathered together in making the event possible.

The ancient art and science of yoga has been practised for decades and traces its origin to the Vedas written in Sanskrit language. The practice of yoga leads to the union of individual and universal consciousness. It offers immense benefits in uniting the body, mind and breath.
Yoga has become one of the world’s favourite holistic health practises and also, one of the most practiced forms of exercise and therapy. Globally, millions of persons practise some form of yoga in their quest for holistic health. Swami Vivekananda is credited for introducing and creating a special place for yoga in the hearts of global citizens, where he penned books on all four forms of Yoga-Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action), Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge), Raja Yoga (Yoga of Meditation) and Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of devotion).

By Shivanie Sugrim