Urvi Teresa Gomes, Kolkata: Kolkata observes the International Day of Yoga 2023 in grace and style in its own way. Everyone feels the need to lead a healthy lifestyle. People all over the world have recognized the inner peace and balance that yoga brings to our entire world.

To promote the widespread participation in the 9 th International Day of Yoga (IDY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led a yoga session at the United Nations headquarters. IDY’s theme this year is ‘Yoga For Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (Har Aangan Yog)’, describing the desire for “One Earth, One Family and One Fortune”; and Kolkata, hand in hand with the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has joined in the global movement to
celebrate the wellness and harmony that yoga offers.

Several dignitaries such as Dr. Arijit Dutta Chowdhury (Director General of NCSM), Dr. Pratim Sengupta (nephrologist) and sports personalities had come together with the people enthusiastically taking part in the celebrations as one family in venues such as the Science City. Renowned personages such as Sayan Bhattacharya (Education Officer at the Indian Museum), Subhabrata Chaudhari of BITM and Minakshi Mishra of ICCR Kolkata have actively taken part in this auspicious day at the Indian Museum, Birla Industrial & Technological Museum (BITM) and the Indian Council For Cultural Relations (ICCR), Kolkata, respectively.

What resonated the most in the Science City auditorium was the presence of children who are less fortunate, invited to help conjoin their daily lives with the healing practice of yoga. ICCR organised IDY at its premise where ICCR scholars and foreign students studying in Kolkata participated to promote awareness about yoga, health and the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ globally. Furthermore, June 21 st also marks World Music Day and World Humanist Day and it isn’t surprising to witness the City of Joy solemnise music and the philosophy of humanism with a trendy blend of yoga all together.