Indian mission to mass thousands at Dhaka stadium for Yoga Day celebration

Thousands of people are expected to gather at the Bangabandhu National Stadium or BNS in Dhaka like the yesteryears to celebrate the International Yoga Day on Thursday.

The High Commission of India in Dhaka, which is organising the event every year after the announcement of June 21 as the Yoga Day by the UN on Dec 11, 2014, says the entry would be between 7am and 8am.

The World Health Organisation on the eve of the day said yoga is a valuable tool to increase physical activity and decrease noncommunicable disease such as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases and stroke.

It said for people of all ages and all means, yoga is a valuable tool to increase physical activity and decrease noncommunicable disease, creating healthier individuals, communities and countries across the southeast Asia region which includes Bangladesh.

India proposed the day at the UN which was endorsed by a total of 175 nations, the highest number for any UN resolution.

The day has been celebrated across the world since the beginning.

In 2017, there was a record turnout of around 5,000 yoga enthusiasts at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

To draw more participants, this year a lucky draw has been included in the event apart from mass yoga demonstration.

Prizes include a Tata Tiago car, a Bajaj motorcycle, a holiday package to a destination in India, a trip to Delhi for a couple, and a hospitality package for a couple in a five-star hotel in Dhaka.

All participants will receive, on a first-come-first-served basis, free yoga mats, t-shirts and gift hampers and a chance to win attractive prizes in the lucky draw.