High Commission of India

Nairobi

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Press release for the celebration of 9^th International Day of Yoga 2023

High Commission of India, Nairobi organized multiple events on the occasion of 9th International Day of Yoga (IDY)- 2023. The main event was organized at Premier Club ground in Nairobi on 18th June 2023. The event was attended by H.E. Ababu Namwamba, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Sports and the Arts as Chief Guest. More than 4000 people participated in the yoga session, including the members from the diplomatic corps, representatives from Government of Kenya, media members and a large number of yoga enthusiasts from different parts of Kenya, including school going children.

A notable feature this year was participation of yoga enthusiasts from Embakasi area in Nairobi. The High Commission has been supporting the conduct of yoga classes in Embakasi for a few months. A competition was organized by the High Commission for these yoga trainees from Embakasi. The best three trainees were awarded with cash prizes.

On 21st June, a yoga session was organized at United Nations Office in Nairobi. The event was attended by UN staff members, diplomatic mission representatives, media and local Kenyan yoga enthusiasts. Two Masai yogis from Amboseli also performed yoga along side the High Commission’s Yoga guru. UN was represented in the event by Ms. Lauren Landis, WFP Representative and Country Director. Also in attendance was Hon’ble MP Abdul Rahim Dawood.

At the port of Mombasa, a yoga event was also conducted on board Indian Naval Ship Sunayana under the aegis of the “ocean ring of yoga” initiative of the Indian Navy to celebrate the 9th International Day of Yoga in different ports worldwide. Personnel from Indian and Kenyan defence forces participated in the joint yoga session. All participants undergoing training onboard practiced diverse yoga aasnas, standing and seated yoga postures, pranayam-breathing techniques followed by meditation.

With the support of High Commission of India, the IDY was also organized in Eldoret and Nakuru on 21 June that was attended by members of Indian origin diaspora and local community.

In December 2014, a resolution was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly by an overwhelming consensus which was co-sponsored by 177 countries to observe 21 June as International Day of Yoga. Since then, this is the 9th International Day of Yoga being observed enthusiastically across different parts of the world. In a special event at the UN headquarters in New York, a yoga session was led by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the morning of 21 June with participation of representatives from Member States and the leadership of the UN.

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