UN Adopts Climate Action As Theme For International Yoga Day 2019
International Yoga Day, 2019 will be celebrated at the United Nations on Thursday, 20th June, with ‘Yoga with Gurus’, followed by a panel discussion on 21st June. This is going to be the 5th anniversary of this grand Yoga event with the central theme as ‘Climate Action’.
“Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.” according to UN’s definition. They say that “Today, Yoga is practised in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.”
In 2014, Asoke Mukerji, India’s Ambassador to UN introduced the resolution on ‘International Day of Yoga’ and 177 nations came forward as co-sponsors of the resolution. Previously Indian Prime Minister Narender Modi had proposed the idea of having an International Day on Yoga.
UN adopted International Yoga Day under resolution 69/131 and recognized that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being. They also recognized that that wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population.
Also, in the same resolution UN invites all its Member and observer States, the organizations of the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to observe the International Day of Yoga, in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, in order to raise awareness of the benefits of practising yoga.
