International Yoga Day observed in Dhaka
The 2nd International Day of Yoga was observed in the city as elsewhere across the globe on Tuesday, highlighting the positive effects of yoga in everyone’s life.
The Indian High Commission in Dhaka organised an event at Mirpur Indoor Stadium from 8am to 9am on the occasion. Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed attended the event as the chief guest.
State minister for Youth and Sports Dr Biren Sikdar, Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Harsh V Shringla, celebrities and youth icons, including singer Ankhi Alamgir, actor Arefin Shovo, film producer Abdul Aziz, singer Aloke Kumar Sen, footballer Jahid Hasan Ameli, singer and composer Habib Wahid, and ambassadors and diplomats were present.
The high commissioner welcomed the guests and appreciated the enthusiasm of the participants for making yoga popular in Bangladesh.
This was followed by the screening of two messages on International Yoga Day celebration from Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
Dr Biren Sikder read out the message of President Md Abdul Hamid.
President Hamid congratulated the Indian High Commission for organising the event in Dhaka, and hoped that it will provide good opportunity to the participants to learn about the positive effects of yoga in everyone’s life.
“The event will provide ample opportunity for the participants to practice yoga and learn about the positive impacts of yoga in everyone’s life,” the President said in his message.
Tofail Ahmed highlighted the importance of yoga for the health and wellbeing of everybody and congratulated the participants for making the event successful.
Programmes of the event included yoga demonstrations by the members of Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhaka and Bangladesh Yoga Association. This was followed by a session of Common Yoga Protocol for all the special invitees and participants.
Similar programmes to mark the 2nd International Day of Yoga were also held elsewhere in Dhaka.
Reports of Yoga Day celebrations also received from other cities in Bangladesh. Many local yoga centres, clubs and institutes organised programmes in their premises to observe the 2nd International Day of Yoga in Bangladesh.
More than 1,500 people from all walks of life, including diplomats, government officials, professionals, students of various institutes and universities, members of the Indian community and general yoga practitioners participated in the event.
The event was open to all.
In 2014, the United Nations adopted the resolution that proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Bangladesh had sponsored and supported the United Nations’ resolution. Accordingly, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated in 2015.
Yoga is an ancient practice that embodies harmony of mind, body, thought and action and aimed at developing a holistic approach towards general health and wellbeing.
Today yoga is practiced in various forms around the world and continues to grow in popularity.