Indian Embassy, together with various community organization, celebrated International Day of Yoga in Kuwait.
Inaugurating the event, Ambassador Sri Sibi George said that the festival of Yoga is all the more important now when we face the biggest health challenge of our generation and perhaps several generations to come in the form of deadly Covid 19 pandemic.
Congratulations to all on the occasion of the 7th International Day of Yoga. Also Greetings of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Kuwait. Welcome to you all.
I thank His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, and His Highness Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, for hosting the large Indian community in Kuwait and for their leadership in strengthening the bilateral relations between our two friendly countries. I would also like to express my gratitude to the Government and the people of Kuwait for the personal care and support extended to Indian community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The pandemic has left lasting impacts on mental health, with many left in psychological suffering, depression, and anxiety dealing with the pandemic-necessitated restrictions and loss. There is no better remedy than Yoga to deal with this aspect of the pandemic. That is where our Yoga comes to picture and quite prominently so, Ambassador Sri Sibi George said.
Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State, Ministry of Youth & Affairs and Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, also spoke on the occasion virtually. Minister thanked Kuwait for the support during the pandemic.
Dr. Issa M. Alansari, Assistant Secretary General, National Council for Culture, Arts & Letters, State of Kuwait, Sheikha Al Arfaj, Shri Rajpal Tyagi, etc attended the inauguration. The event was attended by ambassadors of several countries virtually.
During the event, various personalities including Yoga Gurus viz. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Shri Kamlesh Patel and Sister Jayanti on importance of Yoga, were also streamed.
The Common Yoga protocol was demonstrated by various Yoga practitioners from Kuwait. Live Yoga demonstration was performed by various community members from various locations including various studios, schools and companies.
The event was virtually attended by 1000s of community members.
The whole event begins with National anthem and ended with patriotic songs sung by Kuwait Chamber Chorale.