The High Commission of India in Freetown celebrated the 9th International Day of Yoga-2023 in Freetown. Under the aegis of India’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and with this year’s theme ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, the event took place at the High Commission of India on Saturday, 17 June 2023. After the welcome of guests/participants by High Commission’s officials, Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Neeraj Kumar Saini addressed the gathering. Mr. C. J. Ramchandani enlightened on the importance of Yoga in day-to-day life. Mr. Madhusagar Singh, Mr. Edward Kekura and Mr. Alfred Saffa conducted the Yogasanas which were followed and performed by all participants who attended the event.
Indian diaspora members along with a number of Yoga Institutes and instructors in Sierra Leone partnered with High Commission to present a number of yoga postures and their benefit for the body and mind, as prescribed in the Yoga protocol, approved by the Government of India. The partner institutes/companies included: Hatha Yoga Salone, ThisIsYoga Sierra Leone, Pawan Putrah, Balani & Sons, Kadco / Kadat, and Ishwari & sons.
Yoga is a five – thousand-year-old tradition from ancient India that combines physical, mental and spiritual pursuits to achieve harmony of the body and the mind. Yoga is an effective tool for holistic living and can help us promote sustainable lifestyles. In 2014, on the proposal of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the UN General Assembly declared 21 June to be celebrated as the International Day of Yoga. Since then, the International Day of Yoga is celebrated all over the world every year and various events attract participants in a very large number. Sierra Leone has always been an important partner of India to promote and celebrate the International Day of Yoga since its inception.
