First International Day of Yoga in the Russian Federation (21 June 2015)
The first International Day of Yoga (IDY) was celebrated across Russia on 21 June 2015. IDY events were held in nearly 60 Regions of Russia in over 200 locations. In all, events were held in more than 100 cities of Russia covering 250 venues and with participation of over 35000 people. These events were held in all 11 time zones of Russia. In about 45 Regions, large-scale events were organized in the center of the capital city in cooperation with the Regional government. In these Regions, the IDY events were inaugurated by local dignitaries and a representative of the Embassy of India. In addition, local yoga centres and Indian socio-cultural organizations marked IDY in several other venues.
In Moscow, the main IDY event in Festival Square of Sokolniki Park was organized by the Embassy of India, in cooperation with the Yoga Federation of Russia. About 2400 people participated in the event. The Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. P.S. Raghavan welcomed the participants, who then viewed the video message of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi on a giant screen. Mr. Sergey Repin, President of Yoga Federation of Russia also spoke on the occasion. The yoga instructor of the Embassy of India, along with about 12 other instructors, demonstrated Yoga asanas in which all present participated actively. The exercises were as per a Common Yoga Protocol which is being followed in all IDY events being organized in every country around the world by the Indian Embassies.
Additional yoga demonstrations were performed by the Yoga Federation and other yoga organizations from Moscow.
10000 special T-shirts with the IDY logo and yoga mats were distributed across Russia in venues where IDY events were organized. A bilingual publication (Russian and English) on Yoga was brought out and 10000 copies were distributed across Russia. 10000 DVDs of the Common Yoga Protocol (in English and Russian) were also sent out to locations across Russia.
Ms. Valeria, world famous singer from Russia and an avid Yoga enthusiast, has agreed to be the Brand Ambassador for Yoga in the Russian Federation.
More details in: www.indianembassy.ru;
https://twitter.com/IndEmbMoscow;
https://www.facebook.com/IndiaInRussia;
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International Day of Yoga (IDY)
The United Nations adopted a Resolution in December 2014, initiated by India and co-sponsored by 177 countries including the Russian Federation, to annually observe June 21 as IDY.
While addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, said, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and Nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change.” The United Nations resolution on IDY was passed within 75 days of this speech.
The observance of IDY is aimed at spreading a global awareness of the value and power of yoga in building healthy societies.
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