Embassy of India in Kuwait marks the 11th International Day of Yoga
Through such initiatives, the Embassy continues to deepen cultural engagement, promote healthy lifestyles, and champion India’s soft power in the region.
The Embassy of India in Kuwait hosted a grand Yoga event today (June 21, 2025), at the Boulevard Cricket Ground in Salmiya, Kuwait City, to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY).
Organized under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of Ayush, the event was held in partnership with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
This year’s IDY theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” reflects the holistic vision of global well-being, emphasizing the intrinsic link between human health, environmental sustainability, and collective responsibility—a message that resonates deeply with India’s G20 presidency theme: “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
The session drew participation from over 1,500 people, including foreign diplomats, students, members of the Indian diaspora, and yoga enthusiasts from diverse nationalities and age groups.
Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, H.E. Dr. Adarsh Swaika, in his welcome address, underlined the importance of integrating yoga into daily life for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. He thanked everyone who attended the celebration and partners for making the event a success and underscored the relevance of yoga in fostering resilience, harmony, and health in a rapidly changing world.
Mr. Hussain Al Musallam, Director-General of the Olympic Council of Asia, in his remarks, emphasized that Yoga is officially recognized as a sports discipline by the OCA, reaffirming its cultural and athletic value across Asia.
Adding gravitas to the occasion, the session was graced by Padma Shri Acharya H.R. Nagendra, a pioneer of modern yoga and founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, and Padma Shri Sheikha Shaikha A. J. Al-Sabah, a prominent member of the Kuwaiti royal family, who has played a vital role in advocating yoga in Kuwait and across the region.
As part of the formal celebration, a Common Yoga Protocol session was conducted, uniting the diverse audience in a synchronized display of yogic postures, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques.
The large-scale participation across all age groups demonstrated yoga’s universal appeal and transformative potential.
The International Day of Yoga was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014, following a landmark proposal by India, which was co-sponsored by Kuwait and supported by a record 175 member states.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced the proposal during the opening of the 69th UNGA session on September 27, 2014, highlighting the benefits of yoga as a gift from ancient Indian tradition to the world.
The date of June 21, the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, was chosen for its symbolic significance.
This year marked a milestone, as for the first time, International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kuwait were held at a public venue, allowing broader access and visibility. The event received widespread appreciation and was hailed as a significant step in strengthening India-Kuwait cultural ties through soft diplomacy.
In the run-up to the main event, the Embassy organized three curtain-raiser yoga sessions and a Yoga Posture Competition open to all age groups. These pre-event activities helped build momentum, especially among youth, and reinforced the inclusive and accessible nature of yoga.
Through such initiatives, the Indian Embassy continues to deepen cultural engagement, promote healthy lifestyles, and champion India’s soft power in the region.
