Ambassador’s Speeches
International Day of Yoga
Speech by Ambassador Abhay Thakur on International Day of Yoga - 2025 celebration at Maravijaya, Naypyitaw on 20 June 2025
His Excellency General Nyo Saw, Member of the State Administration Council
His Excellency, U Than Tun Oo, Chairman of Nay Pyi Taw Council
Respected guests, scholars, representatives of Government of Myanmar, ladies and gentlemen.
Mingalaba! Namaste!
International Yoga Day has completed a historic journey of 11 years. When Hon’ble Prime Minister of India proposed the recognition of the International Day of Yoga at the United Nations in 2014, a record number of countries (177 countries) supported it. Since then, yoga has transcended boundaries and has become a global movement, a symbol of global spirit and a common medium for global cooperation. Today, yoga is not just a practice but a path, inspiring millions across the world to embrace a balanced, healthy and harmonious lifestyle.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The ancient sages of India have taught us a lot on the benefits of Yoga and meditation, to lead a healthy and happy life. For us health is the greatest fortune, and good health is a means to success. But when our sages spoke of health, they looked beyond just the physical body; they emphasized the harmony of mind and spirit i.e mental health.
Yoga is not just a discipline but also a science. In this era of information revolution, where there is a flood of information everywhere, focusing on one subject is proving to be a big challenge for the human mind. We know that concentration is the greatest strength of the human mind. Yogasanas and meditation help us with inner-consciousness and enhances our ability to concentrate. Therefore, yoga courses are being included for trainees in various fields from army to sports.
A fast-paced existence in this world brings with it lot of stress. We live in a time when diseases related to lifestyle and stress are increasing. It is staggering to note that, according to World Health Organization high systolic blood pressure is the single most important risk factor for early death worldwide, leading to an estimated 10.8 million avoidable deaths annually. Globally, around 2 million deaths are attributed to diabetes each year. Yoga can be the remedy to all our physical and mental problems in this fast-paced world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The best part about Yoga is that it can be adapted for all age groups, genders, and fitness levels, with no copyright or patents. It is portable, flexible, can be practiced anytime, anywhere, alone or in a group, guided by teacher or self-taught.
Yoga is a universal and unifying gift that is open to all people, all faiths, and all cultures. In modern paced world, it offers a path to peace by bringing harmony to our body, mind, and soul. It brings peace in the family by uniting the person with the family. It brings harmony in the society by making the family sensitive towards society. And humanity flourishes and gain strength from this feeling of brotherhood. Yoga also helps us realize that our welfare is related to the welfare of the world around us. When we are peaceful within, we can also make a positive impact on the world.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The number of people practicing yoga in Myanmar is steadily increasing, and so is the attraction towards yoga. Our Swami Vivekanand Cultural Centre has been actively conducting yoga sessions in many iconic places in Myanmar, and there is huge turnout of people everywhere. People are increasingly convinced of the utility of yoga. Yoga is becoming a part of daily life for many Myanmar nationals.
When we do yoga, we feel physically fit, mentally calm, and emotionally content. Let us use the power of Yoga to strengthen the bridges of friendship between the two nations and for a cleaner, greener and sustainable future. Let us join hands together to realize the International Yoga Day’s theme this year of “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”. May everyone be happy and healthy!
Once again, I extend my best wishes to all yoga enthusiasts in Myanmar on the International Yoga Day.
Thank you !
*****
