Hundreds join Indian High Commission’s Yoga Day celebration in Bangladesh

People from all walks of lives including ministers, diplomats, cultural personalities and border guards have joined the International Yoga Day celebration in Dhaka.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed led the Indian High Commission organised celebration at the national indoor stadium in the capital on Tuesday, and said the government would patronise the ancient exercise that brings harmony between body and mind.

State Minister for Sports Biren Sikder said they had officially registered the Bangladesh Yoga Association on Sunday to give the practice a boost.

He also read out a special yoga day message of President Md Abdul Hamid.

Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh Vardhan Shringla reiterated India’s support to expand yoga and said it “originated in India, but has today spread all over the world.”

 

The United Nations declared June 21 as ‘International Day of Yoga’ adopting an India-led resolution in 2014.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the celebration at the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh and said people everywhere in India were connected to yoga.

He announced two awards—international-level and national-level—for good work on yoga and said the awards would be given from the next Yoga Day.

Yoga and new SDGs

The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. Today it is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.

Recognising its universal appeal, on Dec 11, 2014, the UN proclaimed 21 June as International Yoga Day to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.

 

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said this year’s observance “highlights the important role healthy living plays in the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted last year by all 193 United Nations Member States."

As exercise, yoga has multiple benefits. Physical inactivity leads to a number of non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which are among the leading causes of illness and death worldwide.

“By improving fitness, teaching us how to breathe correctly, and working to diminish stress, yoga can help to cultivate healthier lifestyles,” the UN chief said in his yoga day message.

“Practicing yoga can also help raise awareness of our role as consumers of the planet’s resources and as individuals with a duty to respect and live in peace with our neighbours.

“All these elements are essential to building a sustainable future of dignity and opportunity for all,” he said.

Interest grows in Bangladesh

The indoor stadium in Mirpur was almost full to its brim early Tuesday as the celebration began at 8am.

Singers Habib Wahid, Ankhi Alamgir and footballer Jahid Hasan Emily were among the participants.

“Now more people are learning the technique than before,” founder of president of Bangladesh Yoga Association Mohammed Harun told bdnews24.com, on the sidelines.

He said health conscious people are practicing yoga, and “the UN recognition has kindled public interest.”

“When we started (the association) in 1998, we had 11 members in Dhaka. Now we are expanded in 23 districts,” he said, adding that they also hosted yoga championships across Bangladesh in 2012, 2015 and this year.

Shah Noman Md Iftekhar also joined the celebration along with his students. He told bdnews24.com that he was teaching yoga to some Dhaka-based foreign diplomats.

“We also have a centre at Dhanmondhi. Besides, students come to me privately. I am getting more students now than before. Once people used to come for physical fitness, but now they are learning different yoga techniques for therapeutic purposes,” he said.

The Indian High Commission distributed yoga mats among the participants.