Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will lead the International Day of Yoga 2023 celebrations in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday, June 21, according to the Vice President's Secretariat. Dhankhar is set to address the gathering and later guide a mass yoga demonstration at the venue. The motto for IDY 2023 is "Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," highlighting the theme of global unity.
While the global celebration of IDY 2023 will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the UN Headquarters in New York, the national celebration will be headed by Vice President Dhankhar, stated the Vice President's Secretariat.
The International Day of Yoga, declared by the United Nations in 2014, promotes the worldwide recognition of yoga and its extensive benefits. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution proposed by India, which received endorsement from a record-breaking 175 member states, designating June 21 as the International Day of Yoga.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi played a crucial role in suggesting this date during his address at the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly. In his speech, he expressed, "Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world, and nature."
Furthermore, PM Modi highlighted the significance of June 21, the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, as it represents the longest day of the year and holds special meaning in various parts of the world.
Since its establishment, the International Day of Yoga has been observed annually on June 21, providing a platform to enhance global awareness about the multitude of advantages offered by yoga.
As Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar leads the celebrations in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on this International Day of Yoga, individuals worldwide are encouraged to embrace the transformative power of yoga and its ability to foster unity and well-being on both individual and global levels.