People in India and around the world virtually celebrated the 7th International Day of Yoga [June 21] due to the widespread transmission of Covid-19.

International Day of Yoga observed in about 190 countries. Photo: Dayoftheyear

The Embassy of India in Hanoi marked the occasion themed “Yoga For Wellness” and encouraged celebrations at home.

The message is also conveyed via the slogan “Be With Yoga, Be At Home.”

In celebration of the 7th International Day of Yoga (IDY), India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter to Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to thank Vietnam’s support in hosting the IDY annually. He also emphasized the role of yoga to people’s health amid the pandemic and its power of connecting people around the world.

Meanwhile, the Embassy’s Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC) has supported yoga practitioners with a series of online modes from June 19 to 27 in partnering with different agencies in Vietnam namely the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the Vietnam-India Friendship Association (VIFA), Center for Indian Studies at Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, the Vietnam Institute of Indian and Southwest Asian Studies (VIISAS) at University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam (INCHAM).

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on International Yoga Day 2021 on June 21. Photo: YouTube/Narendra Modi

On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is known to be a yoga enthusiast, highlighted the importance of practicing yoga during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Today when the entire world is fighting against Covid-19 pandemic, yoga has become a ray of hope. For two years now, no public event has been organized in India or the world but enthusiasm for Yoga has not gone down,” The Hindustan Times cited Modi.

According to India’s Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa-Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), the day is being observed in about 190 countries.

Recognizing its universal appeal, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, aiming to raise awareness of benefits by practicing yoga.

Since 2015, the Indian Embassy has been working with different stakeholders, provincial authorities, and socio-cultural organizations in Vietnam to celebrate IDY in Vietnam.

Last year in Vietnam, the IDY was held in Ha Long Bay, the world’s iconic natural heritage, attracting around 3,000 yoga enthusiasts. The event was also organized in four other provinces of Vinh Phuc, Thanh Hoa, Phu Yen, and Ninh Thuan from June 21 to June 28. Thousands of people had participated in the celebrations.