Untitled DocumentThe Embassy celebrated the second International Day of Yoga in Nur-Sultan on 19th June, 2016 at the iconic monument, Baiterek Tower. Ambassador Shri Harsh Jain welcomed the guests and read out Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s message to the participants:
“My dear friends from all over the world, it gives me great pleasure to address you as we prepare for the 2 International Day of Yoga – this unique occasion that brings all of us together to celebrate the invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. When I outlined a vision for an International Day of Yoga in September 2014 at the United Nations General Assembly, even I did not anticipate the enormous enthusiasm for the occasion from all corners of the world. Your support and participation last year, and once again now redeems our commitment to nurture and promote this ancient discipline, and reaffirms yoga as an exemplary manifestation of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’The world as one family.
I recall the iconic images from that momentous day last year. All the way from the Pacific Islands to Port of Spain, from Vladivostok to Vancouver and from Copenhagen to Cape Town, thousands gathered to unite the bodies and minds through the practice of Yoga. And the reverberations of their discipline found a natural home at the UN Headquarters in New York, where the journey had begun. I myself was fortunate to celebrate the event along with 36,000 of my fellow citizens and foreign guests in New Delhi. As so many of you have already discovered, Yoga is much more than a physical exercise – it enables us to access a new dimension of the self, even while providing a holistic approach to preventive healthcare and wellbeing. Yoga helps us to restore our balance and furnishes us with a much needed sense of clarity. And through its unifying power, we seek completeness, and at the same time, a oneness with the world. Today all of you are the Ambassadors of Yoga, taking forward India’s ancient message to the world. I thank you for your commitment and welcome you as sisters and brothers of India’s family”.
Mr. Serik Zharasbayev, Deputy Chairman, Committee of Sports, Ministry of Culture and Sports represented the Government of Kazakhstan. He appreciated the assembly of large number of participants including elderly people for the yoga session. He commented that the initiative of the Embassy to organize such a grand event would attract more people towards yoga and would help them lead a healthy lifestyle. Ambassador of South Africa Mr. Shirish Soni and Ambassador of Norway Mr. Ole Johan Bjornoy congratulated the participants.Mr. Mansur Smagambetov read a message from Mr. Tolegen Mukhamejanov, Famous Poet, Music Composer and President of the International Association “Peace through Culture”. Mr. Mukhamejanov mentioned in his message that though Yoga was born in India, it is now practiced all over the world and recognized by the United Nations. He said that yoga is a system of self improvement and shows the methods of attaining physical perfection and comprehension of mysteries of own psyche. He emphasized that one experiences harmony between body and soul through yoga.
About 425 people attended the celebration. After the common yoga protocol, over 250 participants joined the “Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar) - Marathon”.The 2nd International Day of Yoga in Almaty was celebrated at the Main Stadium of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University on June 19, 2016. Mr. Kazhimkan Massimov, President of the Kazakhstan Association of Yoga spoke about the benefits of practising yoga. Head of the UN Department of Public Information Mr. Vlastimil Samek, First Vice-Rector of the University Mr. Muktambetkeli and President of InCham Mr. Seshadri Sundaram also spoke on the occasion. Mr. Naveen Kapur, Second Secretary at the Representative Office of the Embassy in Almaty read out the messages of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj. Mr. Sandeep Jadhav and Dr. Jitendra conducted Common Yoga Protocol. It was followed by a day long celebration of different facets of yoga and Indian cultural performance. Around 300 people participated in the Common Yoga Protocol and about 600 people attended the day long celebration.
The Embassy of India in Nur-Sultan in collaboration with Kazakhstan Academy of Yoga and Arcelor Mittal Co Ltd celebrated the 2nd International Day of Yoga in Karaganda City at the Central Park on June 26, 2016. The celebration commenced with a welcome speech by Swamy Akhileshvarananda Saraswati, Head of Kazakhstan Academy of Yoga followed by Common Yoga Protocol led by Dr. Brijesh Gupta, ICC Yoga instructor and demonstration of yogasanas by the students of Kazakhstan Academy of Yoga. The celebration was attended by over 400 yoga students, enthusiasts and public and nearly 200 participated in the Common Yoga Protocol.
The 2nd International Day of Yoga was celebrated by ONGC Videsh Ltd at the premises of Satypayev LLP Company in Atyrau and Kazakhstan Indian Students Association (KAISA) at the premises of Kazakhstan National Medical University, Almaty on June 21. Mr. Leskin, Director of Youth for Cultural and International Activities, Kazakhstan Medical University, Almaty attended the celebration.
