Embassy of India

Antananarivo, Madagascar

CELEBRATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA

21 JUNE, 2018 at Esplanade, University of Antananarivo

The 4^thInternational Day of Yoga will be celebrated at the Esplanade area of University of Antananarivo from 09:00hrs on Thursday, 21 June, 2018. The event is free and open to the public.

Yoga is an art and science for healthy living. The aim of Yoga practice (s?dhana) is to overcome all kinds of sufferings that lead to a sense of freedom in every walk of life with holistic health, happiness and harmony. Yoga is just not a physical exercise as perceived by many. Yoga is all about harmonizing the body with the mind and breath through the means of various breathing techniques, yoga postures known as asanas and meditation.

It may be recalled that on a call from the Prime Minister of India, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), on 11^th December 2014, adopted a resolution moved by India and co-sponsored by a record177 countries (including Madagascar), to declare 21^st June as “International Day of Yoga”.

The University of Antananarivo and the Embassy of India is collaborating to organise  the celebrations. The Yoga schools in Antananarivo are supporting the celebrations. Yoga teachers from Brahmakumaris Centre, Hatha Yoga, Heartfulness Sahaj Yoga Meditation Center, Holistic Healing Centre, Patanjali Hatha Yoga, Sahaja Yoga Madagascar, Sahaja Yoga Meditation and Sri Tathata Foundation will explain the benefits and demonstrate the various simple asanas and meditation techniques. Highlights of the day will be group practice of Yoga asanas and meditation and a dance based on yogic postures. The Yoga schools will also make individual presentations.

The event is free and open to all. Invitations have also been extended to high dignitaries, Ministers, Members of National Assembly, Senators and senior officials in the Government of Madagascar, members of the Diplomatic Corps and International Organizations, prominent members of the Malagasy, International and Indian community. The event aims to attract participation by studentsand general public in large numbers. 

 The event is being sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, New Delhi, entire Indian community of Antananarivo, ITEC Alumni of Madagascar, Cercle India Madagascar (CIMA), AXIAN Groupe, Groupe SMTP, Groupe FILATEX, UCODIS, ViMa Vision Madagascar,Airtel, Eureka, Telma, Agrivet, Unibisc, Unifoods and Amc.