Kathmandu, June 19

The government will be marking the third International Day of Yoga on June 21 nationwide with several programmes with the objective of highlighting the significance of yoga to human health.

At a press conference organised jointly by the Ministry of Education and Patanjali Yogpeeth Nepal here today, the organisers shared that the day would be observed with a special event where yoga would be practised in the presence of the prime minister at Bhrikutimandap in the capital city. The slogan for this year’s International Day of Yoga is ‘Let’s Practice Yoga and remain Healthy’.

The government recently formed a 111-member main organising committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Education Gopal Man Shrestha, to arrange the celebration of the Day that was first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014.

The United Nations later proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Speaking at the press conference, Joint-Secretary at the MoE, Hari Lamsal said various discourses and discussions would be conducted across the country on that very day.

Lamsal said, “The government has taken initiative to create awareness about the ascetic discipline as yoga and to encourage people to practice it regularly in their daily lives. The practice of yoga will be spread across all 75 districts.”

Also speaking at the programme, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri expressed happiness at Nepal acknowledging the importance of yoga and placing great focus on the celebration of the Day.

He argued that yoga is such a system of exercise that does not only help maintain a good physical health but also helps remain mentally healthy. “It helps maintain the balance and equilibrium of our lifestyle,” he said. Secretary at the MoE Shant Bahadur Shrestha asserted the day offers an opportunity to propagate oriental civilisation and Sanatan Dharma to the west.

He said the government has also formulated an action-plan to launch Ayurved Education. Lately, there is a growing number of health conscious people practicing yoga for a healthy body and mind.