Speech by the High Commissioner of India to Malawi

On the Occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga

National Police Headquarters Ground, Area 30, Lilongwe

Namaste, and a very warm good afternoon to all of you!

Dr Richard Luhanga, Inspector General of Police (IGP) and National Police Chief 

Members of Diplomatic Corps 

Senior officials and representatives from Government of Malawi

Friends from Press and media 

Members of the Indian  diaspora

Distinguished participants 

Ladies and gentlemen

It gives me immense pleasure to warmly welcome you all to the the National Police ground to actively participate in the much awaited 12th edition of  International Day of Yoga celebration.

At the outset, I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks and deep appreciation to the the Malawi Police Service especially Dr Richard Luhanga, National Police Chief  for so generously hosting us on this beautiful ground. Without their great support, it would not have been possible for the Indian High Commission to organise the IDY in such a large scale.

Distinguished participants , Ladies and gentlemen

Yoga is an ancient art and sacred science which is designed to elevate human consciousness and harmonize the body, mind, and soul. Yoga is India's timeless and invaluable gift to the  humanity which has now now become the global movement for  physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It now belongs equally to every nation, every culture and every individual who  seeks the solace and inner peace in the stressed world. That is precisely why we see each other in this afternoon.

Let me take you back briefly, to where this day began. While addressing the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2014, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, urged the world community to adopt an International Day of Yoga. Notably, within just 75 days of that proposal, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a unanimous resolution, on 11 December 2014, declaring 21 June as the International Day of Yoga. This was the testimony  that  how deeply yoga's message resonates across cultures, faiths and continents. Since then, every  year, millions of people across the world come together to mark this occasion with enthusiasm and zeal. Yoga  was also recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity which further gave the Yoga a wider visibility and acceptability.

Yoga is not mere a physical posturing or  stretching exercise but it is far more than that as it represents the unity of mind and body, and harmony between human beings and nature. Yoga offers a holistic approach to health and well-being — one that India and Indians have been practicing since millennia which is shared freely with every corner of the globe.

Yoga also carries a profound message of peace  and harmony which is  closely aligned with India's ancient philosophy of ‘‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’’, which means “the world is one family.”  Essence of yoga was also well captured in the ancient Indian scripture Bhagavad Gita-

बुद्धियुक्तो जहातीह उभे सुकृतदुष्कृते।

तस्काद्योगाय युज्यस्व योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्।।

It means that a person of equanimity rises above anxiety over the outcomes of both good and bad actions, and it counsels us to devote ourselves to the discipline of yoga — for yoga is the art of skillful, balanced action in everything we do.

This year's International Day of Yoga is being celebrated  under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”  This year’s theme reminds us that yoga is not only to keep ourselves young  but also  help in staying strong,  and balanced with peace. Today, more than 210 Indian Missions across the globe  are  organising IDY celebrations at nearly  2,500 locations on every continent to promote the spirit of healthy, and mindful living. In India, the main national IDY celebration led by  Honourable Prime Minister Modi was organised in the city of  Kolkata.

I am delighted to see such a wonderful gathering of families here today — parents and children, practicing together, side by side. And as it is pleasant coincidence that this year’s Father's Day  falls on 21st of June. I can think of no better way to mark this special day than for fathers and their children to roll out their mats together, and to breathe, stretch and stand in stillness as one.  Wish you everyone a happy Father’s Day !

Distinguished participants

I am glad to mention here that the popularity of yoga has grown significantly here in Malawi in recent years. Ever since the International Day of Yoga was first celebrated jointly with the Government of Malawi in Blantyre and Lilongwe in year 2019, Indian  Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) deputed a trained yoga Teacher  in the High Commission  to conduct regular  yoga classes and workshops in Embassy, schools and universities to bring the benefits of yoga to Malawians from all walks of life. 

Let me conclude my remarks with underscoring  that Yoga, in many ways, is the simplest and most personal expression of well being.  It costs nothing, requires no equipment, and asks only a little of your time and discipline — yet it gives back health, calm and clarity in return. 

As Honourable  Prime Minister of India  Modi called upon all of us to make yoga an integral part of our daily lives, and to inspire others to do the same.

Once again, I thank the Malawi Police Service, our yoga instructor and volunteers, my High Commission staff and every one of you  for joining us this afternoon and making this 12th International Day of Yoga such a memorable celebration of the friendship between our two great nations.

Thank you.

Zikomo Kwambiri !

Jai Hind Jai Bharat !