Shaikha Al Sabah honored with India’s prestigious Padma Shri for yoga advocacy

• Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah founded Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio, symbolizing a deep connection with India. A pioneer in yoga education, she helped establish a yoga education license in Kuwait and has played a key role in promoting yoga across the region.

The Government of India awarded the esteemed ‘Padma Shri’ to Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait for her contributions to promoting Yoga in Kuwait and the wider region on January 25. She is the first Kuwaiti national to receive the Padma award and one of just eight international recipients this year.

The Padma Shri is one of India’s highest civilian honors, recognizing exceptional service in various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature, education, sports, and civil service.

Announced annually on Republic Day, the award is conferred by the President of India during a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically held in March or April.

Sheikha is credited with founding the first licensed yoga studio in Kuwait. The studio, named ‘Daratma,’ combines the Arabic word ‘Dar’ (home) with the Sanskrit word ‘Atma’ (soul), symbolizing a deep connection with India.

She has been a pioneer in yoga education in Kuwait and is also the co-founder of Shems Youth Yoga. Due to her efforts, the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in Kuwait introduced a yoga education license, which is now accessible to all. Her contributions have also been instrumental in promoting yoga throughout the region.

During his visit to Kuwait in December 2024, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi met with Shaikha A J Al-Sabah and expressed his deep appreciation for her outstanding efforts.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Modi’s proposal for a ‘Yoga Day’ in his address to the UN General Assembly in September 2014 led to the adoption of the ‘International Day of Yoga’ resolution, co-sponsored by 177 countries, including Kuwait. Since 2015, the world has celebrated the International Day of Yoga every 21st of June, with the Indian Embassy in Kuwait organizing events to mark the occasion annually.