World Refugee Day 2025: Date, theme, history, significance — all you need to know
World Refugee Day 2025 Date, History, and Theme: World Refugee Day is a global observance established by the United Nations, dedicated to honouring the strength and resilience of refugees worldwide.
This day also emphasises the importance of advocating for their rights. According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees are 'individuals who fled their home and country due to 'a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion'.
This day was first observed globally on 20 June 2001, to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees.
Formerly known as Africa Refugee Day, it was changed to this day when the United Nations General Assembly declared it an international day in December 2000.
World Refugee Day falls on Friday, 20 June 2025, this year. It will focus on the theme 'Solidarity with Refugees,' a call for action to move beyond mere words and take meaningful actions to support them.
According to the UN, every minute, 20 people leave everything to flee conflict, persecution, or terror, and World Refugee Day serves as an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for their predicament, as well as to recognise their resilience in reconstructing their lives.
Together, we can fight for their right to safety, get support for their economic and social inclusion, and lobby for solutions to their problems.
Every person has the right to seek safety.
💙 Whoever they are.
💙 Wherever they come from.
💙 Whenever they are forced to flee.
This #WorldRefugeeDay — and every day — we stand with all refugees, everywhere. pic.twitter.com/vr3ar1SvnV
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) June 17, 2025
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Pak minority migrants receive citizenship certificates in Jodhpur
Jodhpur: In a true celebration of World Refugee Day, Friday, 1,765 Pakistani minority migrants obtained their citizenship certificates in a two-day camp here Thursday and Friday. The distribution of these certificates was conducted by Directorate of Census Operations (Rajasthan) at SN Medical College auditorium, where immigrants staying in Jodhpur, Phalodi, Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Balotara districts were given citizenship certificates. Of these, 1,407 beneficiaries were from Jodhpur, while the remaining 358 beneficiaries belonged to other districts of the division. Hindu Singh Sodha, pesident of Lok Seemant Sangthan, said, this is the second major distribution drive after a similar five-day-long citizenship certificate distribution drive in January this year. "About 2,500 immigrants were given certificates of citizenship in January," said Sodha. Talking to TOI, Bishnu Charan Mallick, director (census operations) said, this was like a dream come true for these immigrants, who come to India with the sole purpose of settling down here for the rest of their lives, and citizenship is the only foundation for the realisation of this dream. "Now these people have got an identity here, which is a testament of their patience and perseverance," said Mallick. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Sodha said with the powers of citizenship delegated to the district collector, the citizenship issue should be expedited to clear huge backlog and more immigrants, who have been awaiting citizenship certificates well over the mandated residency in India, could get citizenship. Referring to the slow process of granting citizenship, Sodha said that only 2,329 certificates were given between 2016 and 2024. "There should be an institutional mechanism for citizenship, and those who are not yet eligible for citizenship or are awaiting the same despite being eligible should be granted the status of refugees, so that essential facilities could be provided to them," Sodha added.
Indian Express
9 hours ago
- Indian Express
Unroll your mat, open a book: 7 yoga books for mind, body & soul
On June 21, for the 11th consecutive year, practitioners around the world will spread out their yoga mats, and perform a bevvy of poses – from the warrior pose (virabhadrasana) to downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana) – in a tribute to the ancient Indian discipline of yoga. When the United Nations declared an International Day of Yoga in 2014 (though it was observed for the first time in 2015), people in the West were already flocking to classes on hot yoga, aerial yoga, and Bikram yoga. The practice, one of the few that focuses on holistic wellbeing (bridging the conscious and unconscious), is arguably India's most influential cultural export. Before yoga studios opened around every corner, enthusiasts would turn to illustrated books to learn the postures and understand their benefits. Indeed, finding a book or two on yoga was commonplace in Indian middle-class households. Here are six books that might serve as faithful companions on the journey to mastering the practice and embracing the philosophy of yoga. If one were to pinpoint the moment the ancient Indian practice of yoga captured the western imagination, it would be Swami Vivekananda's speech at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. This volume compiles the spiritual leader's teachings on the four main paths of yoga—karma (spiritual liberation through duty to others), bhakti (devotion), jnana (self-realisation), and Raja (control of body and mind). Drawing from ancient scriptures, including the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the helps explain the philosophical and spiritual foundations of yoga. Muthanna, who runs a popular yoga school in Bengaluru carries out workshops across the world, blending tradition and modern wellness in her book. She melds the wisdom of ancient Sanskrit texts with contemporary lifestyle needs. In the book, she offers 21 yoga routines designed to address several common maladies. The book, which is also inspired by Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, demystifies yogic philosophy while offering visual guides and practical tools for those navigating busy schedules. Focussing on yoga tailored to the individual (viniyoga), the book outlines a step-by-step sequence to develop a customised yoga routine taking into account the practitioner's health, age, occupation and lifestyle. Desikachar – the son of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the father of modern yoga – draws from his father's teachings as well as his own practical approach. In his own words, he offers 'a programme for the spine at every level: physical, mental, and spiritual.' Desikachar discusses all the elements of yoga, including, but not limited to poses and counterposes, conscious breathing, meditation, and philosophy. For those going for the latest edition, the book now comes with 32 poems of Krishnamacharya that capture the essence of his teachings. Iyengar – Krishnamacharya's brother-in-law – gave the world 'Iyengar Yoga', a form of Hatha yoga that reinforces precise body alignment and encourages learners to use props to achieve proper posture. His students famously include the violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Standard Oil heiress Rebekah Harkness. His 1996 book, Light On Yoga, is recommended reading for beginners as it serves as a comprehensive introduction to the discipline. Iyengar breaks down poses into steps allowing students to practice yoga on their own. He explains the meaning of yoga, asanas and kriyas and dedicates a whole section to Pranayam and its effects. The Latvian actor, Eugenie Peterson, better known by her stage name Indra Devi, was once known as the First Lady of Yoga. Another disciple of Krishnamacharya, she is known to have taught Hollywood actors such as Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson. Her guide for her American audience, who she said needed yoga the most, victims as they were of a competitive, tension-ridden society suffering from its own 'superabundance.' With obesity, 'underactivity,' and psychosomatic illness becoming common outside the continent, one might crack the spine of her book, which includes introductory FAQs (Frequently-asked-questions), illustrations, diets, and advice for those suffering from arthritis, asthma, and overweight. In Swami Satchidananda, a widely respected yoga master and spiritual teacher, presents Patanjali's Yoga Sutras with English transliteration, translation, and analysis. The book is structured as a manual for self-discipline and mental clarity, covering the eight limbs of yoga, from ethical living (yamas and niyamas) to meditation (dhyana) and bliss (samadhi). This book serves as a meditative companion for both seasoned seekers and those new to the spiritual path. Known for his mastery over Hatha Yoga techniques (asanas, pranayamas, mudras, bandhas, and kriyas), Vishnu-Devananda was a discipline of Swami Sivananda and trained under him at an ashram in Rishikesh before he set up yoga centers across the United States and Canada, establishing the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta headquarters in Montreal. First published in 1960, the book comprises photos of different yoga poses and touches upon a variety of allied philosophies, including the conquest of old age and the astral body.
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- New Indian Express
World Refugee Day: A decade on, Pakistani Hindu refugees in Delhi still await citizenship
NEW DELHI: As World Refugee Day is observed across the globe on Friday, hundreds of Pakistani Hindu families who crossed the border over the past decade with the hope of a better life in India continue to live in limbo. Narrow stretches of kutcha lanes in Delhi's Majnu Ka Tila quietly reflect a long wait filled with uncertainty, a wait for identity, dignity, and a place to finally call home. While a section of Pakistani Hindu refugees received their Indian citizenship last year ahead of the general elections, many allege that only about 10 per cent of the camp's population has been granted citizenship so far. Meena Kumari (55), who came from Sindh with five of her children 10 years ago, claimed that her entire family is still waiting to be registered as Indian citizens. 'I've been living here for 10 years. We were told we would be given citizenship. But till now, there's been no clarity,' she said, adding that she left four of her children behind in Pakistan. 'There is no sanitation here. We've repeatedly approached authorities, but the situation remains the same. We are also told, from time to time, that we could be removed from this camp,' she said. The refugee settlement, located near the Yamuna, is marked by kutcha houses, broken public toilets and overflowing garbage. Toilets built for the residents of the camp have turned into dumping sites and several lanes are in a state of disrepair. Most households in the camp still rely on mud stoves and biomass fuel for cooking. June 20 is observed as World Refugee Day to highlight the plight of displaced communities and their right to safety and dignity. Forty-five-year-old Udish Narayan, who arrived from Sindh two years ago with his extended family, said the lack of citizenship has also affected their employment opportunities. 'We are not allowed to sell fruits or park our carts on the roadside. There is no work. We were promised citizenship but are still waiting,' he claimed. Due to the absence of formal documents, many residents are unable to access government welfare schemes. Despite the challenges of displacement and the uncertainty their families face, children in the refugee camp hold on to big ambitions. Many speak of becoming officers and doctors one day, as they continue their education with determination in the face of hardship. Muskaan and Sangeeta, both aged 12 and students of Class 6, said they wish to become doctors when they grow up. Whereas 5-year-old Gayatri, another child in the camp, expressed her ambition to become an officer someday. The residents said some families were granted citizenship and voting rights ahead of the recent Lok Sabha elections, but the majority are still waiting.
