The Embassy of India in Riyadh celebrated the 5th International Day of Yoga by organizing yoga sessions in many places across the Kingdom. The main event was organized at the Al-Madi Park, King Abdulaziz Historical Centre, on June 20, 2019. Recognizing that yoga provides a holistic approach to health and well-being, the United National General Assembly proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. Since its unanimous adoption by the UNGA vide Resolution 69/131 in 2014, the International Day of Yoga has emerged as a major annual event in most countries. It has also created awareness about yoga as an ancient heritage of the entire humanity, geared to our physical and mental well-being. Yoga has become a global phenomenon uniting those who have embraced it as a way of life. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also gave official recognition to yoga as ‘sports activity’ in 2017.
Under the ambitious ‘Vision 2030’, the Kingdom aims to increase the quality of life of the Saudi nationals with promotion of sports and entertainment. Yoga is one such activity which has a holistic approach to the health and mental and physical well-being. The message of yoga is one of inner peace and harmony with the external world, through physical, mental and spiritual well-being and the International Yoga Day celebrations reinforce this very message. The embassy has been celebrating the International Day of Yoga every year. The 5th International Day of Yoga was celebrated on a much grander scale this year. The Yoga Day was also celebrated in association with the Embassy in Indian schools spread over cities like Riyadh, Dammam, Jubail, Majmaa, Taif, Tabuk, Jeddah, Buraidah and Khafji.
The Consulate General of India in Jeddah also organised a grand International Yoga Day event in Jeddah attended among others by Ambassador of India and Consul General. Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led more than 500 participants from all walks of life in the yoga session. Dr. Srinidhi K Parthsarthy, Registrar of Swamy Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, a unique Yoga University in Bengaluru, was a special guest at the event. The Saudi dignitaries, diplomats, Saudi nationals and members of Indian diaspora were among the participants.
