International Yoga Day being observed today

KATHMANDU, June 21: The International Yoga Day is being observed in Nepal by organizing several programmes today. 

The International Yoga Day is celebrated by organizing different public awareness-creating programmes on June 21 every year. 

International Yoga Day has been marked since 21 June 2015 as per the decision of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. 

It may be noted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the 69th UNGA, had put forth a proposal calling for the declaration of June 21 as the International Yoga Day arguing Yoga was necessary for all people at all times. 

The UN permanent member nations and the European Union had also endorsed the proposal after Nepal's then Prime Minister Sushil Koirala first seconded the Indian PM's call for a Yoga Day declaration. 

The draft resolution establishing International Yoga Day was endorsed by 177 countries. It was record-high support for the draft resolution received within 90 days of the proclamation. 

The International Yoga Day had been observed across the globe since 21 June 2016. 

On the proposal of the then Peace and Reconstruction Minister Narahari Acharya, the Council of Ministers declared January 1 as National Yoga Day. Earlier, in the year 2036, World Yoga Day was celebrated after Uttarayan Day with the participation of organizations working in the field of Yoga in Nepal.

A six-month Yoga and natural science is being taught at the Nepal Sanskrit University. Nepal started marking the day in 1980 on the active involvement of organizations in this field under the leadership of Dr. Hari Prasad Pokharel. 

In the Vedic period, yoga taught by sages in the lap of the Himalayas became extinct in Nepal. The work of public awareness has been started by declaring Renaissance Day in this area.

In ancient times mental peace and stability and health were achieved through yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda.

The Nepalese, who had quickly forgotten it due to the influence of the modern era, was drawn to yoga after it was increasingly used for healing and peace in Europe and America.