Hyderabad: Amid the raging coronavirus infections across the world, multiple countries marked International Yoga Day on Sunday, following norms of the social-distancing era.
Dressed in T-shirts and trousers, people, some of them wearing face masks, stretched themselves in various postures at yoga events held in the US, China, the UK, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal and several other countries to celebrate the occasion.
In Washington, Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu joined embassy officials and several Hollywood stars to celebrate Yoga Day, themed "Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family" this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A digital projection and a series of webinars and live online yoga sessions marked the 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in the UK on Sunday.
The Indian High Commission in London organised a digital projection reflecting the ancient Indian practice and its many benefits at the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in east London throughout the course of Sunday.
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It was preceded by an online webinar titled “Ghar Ghar Se Yoga” coordinated by the Nehru Centre in London, in light of the social distancing norms in place that prevent a congregational aspect of the yoga sessions.
The International Yoga Day was celebrated in China on Sunday with low-key events owing to the coronavirus pandemic and the military standoff at the Line of Actual Control.
China, where Yoga has been very popular, usually celebrates the occasion with numerous events ever since its inception by the United Nations in 2014.
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This year, the main event was held at the India House where Indian Ambassador Vikram Misri led the International Yoga Day (IYD) celebration, with the participation of Indian, foreign diplomats and their families.
Misri said this year’s International Yoga Day was “full of challenges”.
“Even with the challenges we faced, we had thought of an event slightly at a larger scale but with the recent outbreak of coronavirus once again in Beijing, we have to scale down our plans to make it a small event,” he said.
On the occasion of International Yoga Day, Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called on all to make Yoga an integral part of human lifestyle to stay physically and mentally fit in the fight against COVID-19.
"Yoga should be made a part of human life to lead the society through a healthy, happy and positive psychology," Nepal PM said in his message on the 6th International Yoga Day.
Oli further said that the goal of healthy Nepal could be realised by only focusing on during Yoga exercise and consumption of food with medicinal values.
"The world is now battling with COVID-19 pandemic. During such times, foods with medicinal benefits, physical exercise and high psychological well-being are the most important things," he stated.
Afghans marked International Yoga Day in the peace and quiet of the hillside in western Kabul. Yoga is not very popular in Afghanistan, but those who follow it believe that it is a good way to cure depression, anxiety or stress.
Various yoga sessions are taking place around the world, including India marking International Yoga Day.
Yoga, an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice originated in India, derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness.
Recognising its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.
The United Nations has themed this year's Yoga Day as "Yoga for Health- Yoga at Home."
