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NDTV
6 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
International Yoga Day 2025: Date, Theme, History, Significance, And More
International Day of Yoga 2025: The International Day of Yoga is observed on June 21 every year to celebrate the ancient Indian practice, known to elevate the physical and mental well-being of its practitioners. The word 'yoga', derived from Sanskrit, means to join or to unite, symbolising the union of body and consciousness. The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness of the many benefits of practising yoga. History of International Yoga Day The idea for International Yoga Day was proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the opening address of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014. "Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action -- a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature," PM Modi said in his address at the time. Subsequently, on December 11, 2014, the UN proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131, with a record 175 member states endorsing it. Why was June 21 picked for International Yoga Day? June 21 was picked for International Yoga Day as it is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This day represents a symbolic harmony between nature and human wellness and is important in many cultures. International Yoga Day Theme 2025 International Day of Yoga is being observed for the 11th consecutive time, with this year's theme being "Yoga for One Earth, One Health". The theme emphasises that personal wellness and planetary health are inseparably linked. "In caring for ourselves, we begin to care for the Earth, reflecting the enduring Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam -- the world is one family," the UN said in a press release. International Day of Yoga celebrations A grand International Yoga Day event is being organised at the UN headquarters (UNHQ) in New York by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN in collaboration with the UN Secretariat. The event will take place in the North Lawn Area of the building between 5 to 6:30 PM (EDT). In India, PM Modi will be leading the International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where approximately three to five lakh people are expected to perform yoga simultaneously along a 26-kilometre stretch from RK Beach to Bhogapuram. The event is being billed as one of the world's largest yoga gatherings. Significance of Yoga Yoga is much more than a physical activity. It involves self-awareness, meditation, breath work and chanting. Performing yoga asanas is beneficial to your overall well-being. Raises Awareness: T he most prominent aspect is raising global awareness about yoga. International Yoga Day puts a spotlight on this ancient practice, encouraging people to explore its potential for improving their lives. Celebrates Benefits: T he day celebrates the numerous benefits of yoga for both physical and mental well-being. This includes promoting yoga for stress management, flexibility, strength, and overall health. Unites the World: International Yoga Day fosters a sense of global unity and cultural exchange. People from all backgrounds and nationalities come together to celebrate yoga, creating a sense of community around this shared practice.
The Standard
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Standard
Australia shuts down Tehran embassy as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of Australia Penny Wong addresses the "Summit of the Future" in the General Assembly hall at United Nations headquarters in New York City, U.S., September 23, 2024. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado/File Photo
Deccan Herald
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Can India afford to drop the balancing act?
Seen in conjunction with India's latest abstention on a UN General Assembly vote for a ceasefire in Gaza, which was supported even by close Israeli allies like France, Germany, and the UK, the two statements underscore that the New Delhi-Tel Aviv strategic embrace is becoming tighter. It also dilutes India's traditional backing for the Palestinian cause despite its declarations to the contrary.
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar calls for real measures to support peaceful settlement of Palestinian cause in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions
NEW YORK: The State of Qatar has called for taking real measures to support the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian cause in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the principle of the two-state solution, and ensuring the establishment of a Palestinian state, while affirming the right of the sisterly State of Palestine to full membership in the United Nations. Qatar also expressed aspiration for the resumption of the High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, chaired by the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the French Republic, which represents an opportunity to take collective steps towards supporting this solution and achieving sustainable security and peace regionally and internationally. This came in a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani before the resumed tenth emergency special session of the UN General Assembly on Palestine, at the UN headquarters in New York. She stressed that the need to resume the session stems from the unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, which requires the General Assembly to assume its responsibilities in accordance with the United Nations Charter regarding the Palestinian cause. She pointed out that the Israeli occupation has resumed its aggression despite the ceasefire agreement reached through the efforts of the State of Qatar, the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt, and the United States of America in January. She noted the State of Qatar's commitment to intensifying mediation efforts to overcome obstacles facing the negotiations, with the aim of reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement that would allow for an end to the humanitarian crisis, the opening of crossings, and the entry of aid, ultimately ending the war and beginning reconstruction. The Permanent Representative expressed Qatar's categorical rejection of the ongoing Israeli attacks on civilian facilities, including hospitals, schools, and populated centers, as well as the use of food as a weapon of war and the starvation of civilians, reiterating the call on the international community to compel Israel to ensure the safe, sustainable, and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid. The State of Qatar stresses that the displacement of Palestinians, in any form, constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, she stressed, adding that the expansion of settlements also constitutes a flagrant violation of international legitimacy resolutions, and the State of Qatar strongly condemns the occupation authorities' approval of the construction of new settlements in the occupied West Bank. It also condemns the repeated attempts to undermine the religious and historical status of Al-Aqsa Mosque. She also reiterated Qatar's categorical rejection of Israeli moves aimed at ending the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and affirmed the State's support for the Agency and its implementation of the mandate granted to it by the General Assembly. The State of Qatar has repeatedly warned of the consequences of the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip for the region, and that the Israeli occupation's escalatory policy will inevitably lead to an expansion of violence and chaos in the region, she underlined. She expressed the State of Qatar's strong condemnation and denunciation of the Israeli attack targeting the territory of the sisterly Islamic Republic of Iran, considering it a flagrant violation of Iran's sovereignty and security, and a clear breach of the rules and principles of international law. The Permanent Representative also expressed deep concern over the dangerous escalation, which threatens the security and stability of the region and hinders efforts to de-escalate and reach diplomatic solutions. In this regard, Her Excellency clarified the State of Qatar's firm position, rejecting all forms of violence, and calling for restraint and avoiding escalation that would expand the scope of the conflict and undermine security and stability in the region.
Egypt Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's UN Envoy: What happens in Gaza stains int'l community
NEW YORK - 18 June 2025: Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Osama Abdel Khalek Tuesday strongly condemned the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip, calling it 'a stain on the conscience of the international community' that must be brought to an immediate end. Addressing the UN General Assembly, Abdel Khalek urged member states to remain steadfast in their principled support of the Palestinian cause, emphasizing the importance of establishing an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds (East Jerusalem) as its capital and granting it full membership in the United Nations, describing this as the only path to peace in the region. There is no room for neutrality—silence is complicity, and hesitation in supporting the Palestinian right is betrayal, he said. Voting in favor of any forthcoming resolution aimed at saving civilians in Palestinian territories is a legal obligation and a moral necessity, he added. He also criticized the most recent use of the veto in the UN Security Council, stating it disregarded international responsibility and allowed Israel to persist in its brutal aggression against unarmed civilians in Gaza. He stressed that such repeated actions highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UNSC—chief among them, addressing the structural flaw in the veto system once and for all. He continued, this latest veto does not change two glaring facts. First, Israel is systematically committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, orchestrated by far-right Israeli leadership and top officials—who must be held accountable, he said. Second, there is clear and overwhelming international consensus demanding an immediate end to this unjust war and the protection of the Palestinian people, as reflected by the sweeping support for the resolution adopted on June 12, he added. In his speech before the UNGA, Abdel Khalek said the international community has a legal and moral obligation that cannot be evaded—to reject such use of the veto and to refuse to let it serve as a political or legal cover for the continuation of war. The right of veto does not supersede international law, nor does it rise above human nature that refuses the killing of children and innocent people in Gaza, he added. 'All members of the international community must exert every possible pressure on Israel to stop its aggression, lift the blockade and starvation policies, allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza without conditions, and implement relevant UN resolutions, including the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ).' He called for the development of international humanitarian law terminology to address the crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, saying the Palestinian people have the right to have their suffering recognized and the crimes committed against them acknowledged—crimes that have persisted for decades. The Palestinians are the only people enduring war crimes and unprecedented atrocities broadcast live to the world, with no end in sight, he added. Egypt is committed to its mediation efforts, in cooperation with Qatar and the United States, to reach a permanent ceasefire and end the Israeli blockade on Gaza, he stressed. He noted that this mediation effort does not contradict the role of the United Nations and its bodies in stopping the aggression and saving innocent civilians. In a related context, Egypt's representative condemned the Israeli attacks on Iran, stressing Egypt's rejection of any actions that violate international law, the UN Charter, or the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. He expressed deep concern over this dangerous escalation, which threatens serious consequences for the security of the Middle East.
