Doha, June 21 – The Asian Town Cricket Stadium witnessed a vibrant gathering of over 2,000 participants from various nationalities on Friday evening to celebrate the 10th UN International Day of Yoga. Organized by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) and the Indian Sports Centre (ISC), the event highlighted the global appeal and unifying power of yoga.

Leading the celebrations, Indian Ambassador Vipul, along with officials from ICC and ISC, interacted with the diverse crowd. Notable attendees included Indian Embassy First Secretary Sachin Dinkar Shankpal, ICC President A P Manikantan, ISC President E P Abdulrahman, and other community leaders.

The event featured a 40-minute session of the Common Yoga Protocol performed by all participants, along with yoga competitions for children and adults, and a yoga quiz. The theme for this year, Yoga for Self and Society, was emphasized by the Indian envoy at a press conference on Tuesday, highlighting yoga’s holistic benefits and its role in fostering harmony between humanity and nature.

Since its inception in Qatar in 2015, the International Day of Yoga has garnered significant international attention. The UN declared June 21 as International Yoga Day in December 2014, following a proposal by India, which received co-sponsorship from 177 member states.

The celebrations in Doha have consistently drawn large crowds, with the 2022 event marking the 8th International Yoga Day setting a new Guinness World Record for the most nationalities in one yoga session, representing 114 nationalities. This year’s event continues to build on that legacy, showcasing the enduring popularity and significance of yoga worldwide.