Embassy of India

Muscat

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PRESS RELEASE

Five thousand persons practice yoga in Muscat

to celebrate the 4th International Day of Yoga

The grand Yoga Session organised yesterday evening in Muscat by the Embassy of India to celebrate the 4th International Day of Yoga witnessed participation of about 5,000 persons, including people of Oman, members of Indian community, members of other expatriate communities, Diplomatic Corps and students. It was held in ultra-modern and well-equipped Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Session began with the address of PM of India, which was received by the people, assembled to practice Yoga, by thunderous applause. There were old persons aged over 80 years as also children as young as 5 years.

In organising its grand Yoga Session, the Embassy was ably supported by the Government of Oman, which was represented by H.E. Mohammed Yousuf Qasim Al Zarafi, Under Secretary for Administration & Finance Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who joined the Yoga Session as its Chief Guest. The Government of Oman also made available the venue at a nominal cost. Indian Social Club, Oman, and its 27 linguistic wings, Indian Schools in Muscat and 16 Yoga organisations, including the Art of Living, extended their full support in motivating people from all walks of life and communities to join the Yoga Session. Almost all the Yoga organisations, teachers, experts and enthusiasts from Muscat were present. Times FM, the media Partner, broadcast the celebration live. It had earlier helped in publising the event. Other print and audio-visual media, based in Muscat, also covered the Yoga Session. A number of Indian enterprises contributed in making various logistical arrangements and provision of Yoga mats and T-shirts.

The Celebration was not confined to Muscat only. The 4th International Day of Yoga 2018 was also celebrated in other key cities of Oman such as Sur, Sohar, and Salalah. The celebrations held on 21st June 2018 were the culmination of a series of Yoga sessions, workshops and seminars, which were organized in run-up to the 4th International Day of Yoga by various Yoga organizations and Indian Schools in Oman in cooperation with the Embassy. Many of these Yoga sessions were held in the multi-purpose Hall of the Embassy and at Embassy Lawns. With a view to provide encouragement to various Yoga organization in Oman to continue with their efforts to promote Yoga in Oman, Ambassador, Shri Indra Mani Pandey, and other Officers of the Embassy participated actively in these Yoga Sessions.

The Embassy has been celebrating the International Day of Yoga since 2015 by organising mega Yoga Sessions in Muscat. While 3500 persons had participated in the Yoga Session held 2016, the number had swelled to over 4000 persons in 2017. These Sessions in Muscat together with numerous curtain raiser events held in Muscat and elsewhere in Oman, in addition to regular yoga sessions organised throughout the year by numerous yoga organisations in Oman, including the Art of Living, have contributed in making Yoga popular amongst not only various expatriate communities, including the large Indian community, but also Omani people, including youth and women. In view of its health and spiritual benefits, Yoga has become popular in Oman and is seen as a holistic system, enabling the people to live healthier and happier lives.

It may be recalled that Oman was one of the co-sponsors of the Resolution of the United Nations general Assembly which had declared in December 2014, at the initiative of Prime Minister of India, 21st June as the International Day of Yoga. The Joint Statement issued during the visit of PM of India to Oman in February 2018 had acknowledged the lead taken by the Government of India in celebrating the International Day of Yoga worldwide with a view to popularize Yoga, which is an ancient Indian tradition, among the people all over the world. The Joint Statement read: “The Omani side congratulated the Indian side for the Indian Prime Minister’s initiative in declaration of 21 June as International Day of Yoga by the UN General Assembly in 2014 and thanked him for India's efforts in making Yoga popular in the world, including in Oman, which is aimed at creating a healthy and peaceful world. The Indian Prime Minister thanked His Majesty the Sultan for his Government’s support to celebration of International Day of Yoga in Oman, which attracts participation of thousands of yoga enthusiasts”.

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Muscat, 22nd June 2018