IDY 2024: Foreign diplomats laud Yoga as “precious treasure” from India to entire humanity

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

As the world celebrated the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 21, several diplomats serving their respective missions in India, hailed the traditional practice as a precious gift from the country to entire humanity. Many of these diplomats took part in the celebrations with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi Friday.

“Yoga is one of the many precious treasures and heritages given by India to the world. Yoga literally means to join, and its celebration is a celebration of our common humanity. These days yoga is also very popular in Russia,” said Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India.

May-Elin Stener, the Norwegian Ambassador to India and Sri Lanka, who started practising Yoga while serving at Norway’s mission at the United Nations in New York – and is currently mastering the headstand – said she completely agrees with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Yoga is one of India’s greatest gifts to the world.

“Thank you Dr S Jaishankar for the Yoga session this 10th International Yoga Day. Happy Yoga day to everyone and congratulations to India on giving Yoga to the world and creating great enthusiasm,” said the Ambassador after attending the Yoga session organized by the Indian government to mark the day.

Several missions also organized Yoga sessions at their respective embassies which saw the participation of many enthusiastic people.

“Few things are as universal and yet as personal as Yoga. It is highly introspective and at the same time, it connects us as mindful human beings. This morning, me & my team had a wonderful session in the garden of my residence. Happy International Yoga Day to everyone!” posted Philipp Ackermann, the German Ambassador to India and Bhutan.

British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said she was “delighted” to be celebrating International Yoga Day with EAM Jaishankar in Delhi.

“As we joined Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar to mark International Yoga Day 2024, I discover British High Commissioner Lindy Cameron effortlessly holds a double lotus,” Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott posted on X along with several photographs of the session.

Marking the International Day of Yoga, staff members of the Embassy of France in India gathered for a session in the spirit of this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for self and society’.

Sporting T-shirts in the French tricolour, the participants enthusiastically performed ‘asanas’ in an hour-long session under the guidance of a yoga coach.

“The morning practice was also a celebration of well-being at the workplace and a moment of camaraderie among colleagues,” stated the Embassy.

China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong also took to social media, mentioning Yoga’s growing popularity in the country.

“Greetings on the International Yoga Day! As a peaceful and harmonious sport, it become popular in China. Many Chinese, including women in their 60s and 70s in some villages, can easily do handstands, splits, and lower backs. My colleagues are also fond of it. Take a look!” he said while posting photographs of several Chinese citizens doing various Yoga postures.

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