Karnataka joined the country and the world in celebrating the 10th International Yoga Day on June 21, 2024 with thousands of people, including women and children participating in the daylong annual event for the well-being of humankind. Co-incidentally, June 21 marks the summer solstice, which is the longest day of the year for the northern hemisphere that includes the Indian sub-continent. According to the ancient Indian tradition, yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness and universal consciousness, resulting in the harmony of body, mind and soul in tune with Nature.
Leading the southern state from the front, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chairman of Karnataka Legislative Council Basavaraja Horatti and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar participated in the historic event, held in Bengaluru and all districts across the state. Its worth recalling that in December 2014, the United Nations (UN) adopted a resolution proposed by India to declare June 21 as the International Day of Yoga and was endorsed by a record 175-member countries from across the world. Over the last decade, yoga’s popularity grew worldwide with universal acceptance as a healthy exercise involving physical, mental and spiritual aspects of human beings.
“By practising yoga, we achieve physical health, mental calmness, and emotional satisfaction. Yoga is an excellent means to balance body, mind, and emotions. As Swami Vivekananda highlighted at the Parliament of World Religions at Chicago in the US on September 11, 1893, yoga introduced the world to India’s rich heritage”
-Mr Gehelot, Governor
“Yoga is an invaluable gift of India to the world, as it embodies the unity of body and mind with soul through thought and action,” said the UN resolution, adding “the importance of individuals and people making healthier choices and adopting a lifestyle that fosters good health.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) also urged its member-states to practice yoga for the welfare of its citizens. The UN declared “Yoga for Self and Society” as the theme for this year’s global event to stress on the twin benefits of practising yoga to enhance personal well-being and fostering a harmonious society.
