High Commission of India

Mbabane, Eswatini [formerly known as Swaziland]

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA
MBABANE (Eswatini)
PRESS RELEASE
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International Yoga Day 2021 (#IDY2021)

High Commission of India, Mbabane celebrated International Yoga Day 2021 on 21 June 2021 at Royal Villas, Ezulwini. About 50 Yoga enthusiasts, practitioners and dignitaries and members of diplomatic corps participated in the event.

For the occasion, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India addressed a letter to the Hon’ble Acting Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Eswatini conveying deepest gratitude for the cooperation and efforts extended in making International Day of Yoga celebrations a resounding success. In his letter, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India mentioned that in 2014, the overwhelming response of the United Nations General Assembly to recognize June 21 as International Day of Yoga underlined the universal appeal of Yoga that transcends all barriers. Since then, IDY is celebrated all over the world. The theme of this year’s IDY is “Yoga for Wellness”, which is particularly relevant in the current context of Covid19.

As part of #IDY2021, observing all Covid19-related protocols, High Commission of India has been organizing a month-long campaign of Yoga. Following are the events organized so far in connection with #IDY2021:

02 June 2021
Yoga session by Iyengar Yoga Teacher Julie Hertslet: As part of Curtain raiser to #IDY2021, Iyengar Yoga Teacher Julie Hertslet conducted a yoga session with her students demonstrating various yoga asanas.

11 June 2021
Yoga Session at Form-Scaff Eswatini: HCI Mbabane Yoga team conducted a yoga session at Form-Scaff Eswatini in Matsapha.

12 June 2021
HCI Mbabane joins ‘Shukuma Initiative’: Hon’ble Minister of Sports & Youth Affairs of Eswatini, Mr. Harries Bulunga joined HCI Mbabane Yoga team along with the Eswatini Sports Council in ‘Shukuma Initiative’ in Timphisini where awareness of Yoga was explained and Yoga practised with participants.

16 June 2021
Yoga session at Fitness Zone, Gables: HCI Mbabane organized a Yoga session at the Fitness Zone, Gables for the Ezulwini Municipal Council, which was attended by Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chief Executive Officer and other officers of Ezulwini Municipal Council.

18 June 2021
Meditation Session at HCI Mbabane: A Meditation session with Brahma Kumari’s Brother Gohe was held at HCI Mbabane Auditorium for High Commission and United Nations officials.

High Commissioner went live @EBIS Radio Station: On the evening of 18 June 2021, the High Commissioner went live @EBIS Radio Station for a talk on Yoga and its benefits during a chat with Broadcaster Khaya Dlamini.

High Commission is planning another session of Yoga at the Good Shepherd Hospital, Siteki on 23 June 2021.

From 21 June 2021, for a week, Yoga videos are scheduled to be telecast on the Eswatini TV Channel to bring awareness on Yoga to the general viewers.

Despite Covid19-related restrictions, High Commission of India received excellent response and support for its #IDY2021 campaign from members of Indian Diaspora, including child yoga enthusiasts, Yoga trainers and practitioners. High Commission conveys its deep gratitude to one and all for making this year’s IDY events successful.

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21 June 2021