Yogis in Freetown on Saturday 23rd June celebrated the international Day of Yoga at the Radisson Blu with the theme “Yoga for Harmony and Peace”. The day is celebrated all over the world on the 21st June.
The day has been observed in Sierra Leone since 2015 with the aim of improving the fitness of people both mentally and physically.
Yoga is regarded as an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition and a holistic approach with mental and physical practices, which embodies the unity of mind and body, as well thought and actions.
Speaking on behalf of the Honouray Consul General of India, Harish Agnani, stated that in December 2014, Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi tabled a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly, which was supported by 177 nations that June 21 should be declared as International Day of Yoga.
He added that the message from yoga is not only to improve the fitness of the body but rather it preaches peace and harmony, which is pivotal for the two countries. Prime Minister, Modi told the UN General Assembly that yoga is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing and that it is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with the world, nature. Agnani noted that since 2015, the Honorary Consulate General of India has been organizing international Day of Yoga in Freetown with members of the local and international community participating with great enthusiasm.
The Director of Sports in the Ministry of Sports, Ibrahim Bangura, was the guest of honour. He thanked the organizers for hosting the exercise in observance of Yoga Day and added that yoga is good for health purposes. He noted that the Indians have contributed a lot in the improvement of sports in the country and pledge to continue working with them for more support to sports. Dr. Baimba Bayoh averred that yogists are healthy because of the exercises they undergo. He said for a yogis to have back pain and waist pain is rare and encourage all to do these exercises on a daily basis as it will keep them health. AT/23/6/18
By Austin Thomas
Monday June 25, 2018.
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