Indian Embassy in Kuwait hosts mega yoga day event

The Embassy of India in Kuwait marked the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a grand celebration at the Boulevard Cricket Ground in Salmiya, Kuwait City. The event, held on June 21, 2025, brought together over 1,500 participants from diverse backgrounds, including diplomats, students, Indian community members and yoga enthusiasts.

Organized under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Ministry of Ayush, the session was held in collaboration with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). This year’s IDY carried the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” emphasizing the intrinsic link between individual well-being, global sustainability, and the environment. The theme resonates with India’s G20 vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Dr. Adarsh Swaika, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life for physical and mental well-being. He expressed gratitude to all attendees for their enthusiastic participation in the celebrations. OCA Director General Mr. Hussain Al Musallam also spoke on the occasion, noting that yoga is officially recognized as a sports discipline under the OCA framework.

The event was further enriched by the presence of distinguished guests, including Padma Shri awardees Acharya H.R. Nagendra, founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana and Sheikha Shaikha A J Sabah, a member of the Kuwaiti royal family known for her efforts to promote yoga across the region. Attendees took part in a Common Yoga Protocol session, uniting in a shared practice that symbolized peace, balance and holistic health.

Significantly, this marks the first time that the International Day of Yoga has been celebrated at a public venue in Kuwait, drawing praise and recognition from across the community. In the run-up to the main event, the Indian Embassy organized three curtain-raiser yoga sessions and hosted a yoga posture competition open to all age groups.

The International Day of Yoga was established by the United Nations on December 11, 2014, following a proposal by India during the 69th session of the UN General Assembly. The resolution, which Kuwait co-sponsored, was adopted with the support of a record 175 member states. June 21, the Summer Solstice, was chosen to celebrate the day, symbolizing the natural rhythm and harmony promoted by yoga.

This year’s celebration in Kuwait reaffirmed the universal appeal of yoga and its growing relevance in promoting health, unity and mindfulness across borders.