World

Commonwealth Headquarters In London Commemorates International Yoga Day

On Saturday, the grounds of the Commonwealth Headquarters in London hosted the first-ever yoga session to commemorate the 10th International Yoga Day.

On a foggy morning, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was joined by his Bangladeshi counterpart, Saida Muna Tasneem, Commonwealth representatives, and members of the Indian diaspora as yoga mats were laid out on the grounds of Marlborough House.

The hour-long yoga and meditation programme was given by practitioners from Heartfulness Worldwide, a non-profit wellness group.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland stated, “The Heartfulness movement has become a global force for inner transformation, creating ripples, which transcend continents and cultures, sowing seeds of mindfulness, compassion, and spiritual wellbeing across the world”.

“The yoga and meditation we experience today is both a tool to improve our health and wellbeing and a celebration of India’s spiritual legacy, allowing us to discover the divinity within ourselves, within others and to deepen our understanding of the interconnectedness of life”, she continued.

The event was part of a larger yoga community programme spearheaded by Heartfulness Worldwide, the Government of India, and several foreign institutions, including the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“I think it is uniquely appropriate that we can celebrate Yoga Day together as a Commonwealth family”, said Doraiswami in his presentation, during which he drew linkages between yoga and the Commonwealth of Nations as natural partners.

“Yoga is holistic. It aims not only to strengthen the body but also to balance the body and mind. Our Commonwealth, too, is a holistic organization that tries to generate chances for cultural cooperation as well as development cooperation”, he continued.

Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Linda Scott, Namibian High Commissioner to the UK and Chair of the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Board of Governors, also attended the event and spoke to the audience on the numerous benefits of yoga.

The event is likely to become a regular feature on the Commonwealth’s calendar, with India as the largest member.

Also read: Thousands Attend International Yoga Day Celebrations In China

Spriha Rai

Recent Posts

Pakistan’s Digital Frontline: Jokes, Memes And Savage Self-Roasts

While tensions between India and Pakistan escalate post the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, something unexpected…

6 hours ago

Reliance Industries Q4 Net Profit Rises 6.4% As Retail And Digital Units Offset Energy Weakness

Reliance Industries delivered a strong Q4 FY25 performance, with Y-o-Y net profit rising 6.4% to…

6 hours ago

Yash Pratap Singh And Mehak Jaiswal Top UP Board Exams With Outstanding Scores

Yash Pratap Singh of Jalaun tops Class 10 with 97.83%, while Prayagraj’s Mehak Jaiswal secures…

6 hours ago

Yogi Adityanath Calls For Reforms To Make Madrasa Education Modern And Employment-Oriented

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday emphasised the need for sweeping reforms in the madrasa…

7 hours ago

Tulsi Gabbard Backs India’s Hunt For Pahalgam Terror Attack Perpetrators

United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard on Friday expressed strong support for…

7 hours ago

World Leaders Head To Rome For funeral Of Pope Francis

Indian President Droupadi Murmu will also attend, representing India alongside Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Minister…

8 hours ago