The Embassy of India in Kuwait organized a Mega Yoga Session to commemorate the International Day of Yoga at the Boulevard Cricket Ground, Salmiya Kuwait City, on 21st June, 2025. The event was organized under the auspices of Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Ministry of Ayush and in collaboration with Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). This year marks the 11th International Day of Yoga, with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” This theme echoes a vital truth about the interconnectedness of health, sustainability, and the environment—aligning with India's “One Earth, One Family, One Future” vision highlighted during its G20 presidency.

2. Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Dr Adarsh Swaika emphasized on the importance of Yoga in daily life and thanked the participants for joining the IDY celebrations. Mr. Hussain Al Musallam, Director General of OCA during his remarks mentioned that ‘Yoga’ is a recognized sports discipline under OCA. The session was graced by Padma Shri Acharya H.R. Nagendra, founder of Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana and Padma Shri Sheikha Shaikha A J Sabah, a member of the royal family, who is instrumental in promoting Yoga in Kuwait and the region. As part of the celebrations a common Yoga Protocol was conducted. More than 1500 people from all walks of the society participated in the event which included foreign diplomats, children from schools and colleges, members of the Indian community and yoga enthusiasts.

3. Recognizing its universal appeal, on December 11, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 21 as the International Day of Yoga. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India which was cosponsored by Kuwait at UN and was endorsed by a record 175 member states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi first introduced the proposal in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly on September 27, 2014. The date of June 21 was chosen as it is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

4. For the first time, IDY celebrations were organized in a public venue in Kuwait. The celebration of 11th International Day of Yoga received positive accolades in Kuwait. In the lead-up to IDY, the Embassy hosted three curtain-raiser yoga sessions and a yoga posture competition for all age groups.

Remarks by Ambassador of India on the occasion of  

the 11th International Day of Yoga (21 June 2025, Kuwait)

An early Good Morning to all 

Mr Hussain Al Musallam, Director General, Olympic Council of Asia,

Dr H R Nagendra, Yoga master and President of SVYASA University

Excellencies and members of diplomatic corps 

Yoga instructors and Gurus in Kuwait

Yoga enthusiasts in Kuwait, including the young ones

Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank you all for joining us early morning on a weekend to celebrate the      11th International Day of Yoga at the Salmiya Boulevard ground. 

2. I am happy to see such a huge turn-out on a hot summer morning in Kuwait. In fact, I must thank you for making an extra effort to join us this early on a weekend. This is our first public yoga day event outside the Embassy at such a large scale organized under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations popularly known as ICCR. And I take this opportunity to thank the Government of Kuwait for giving us the permission to organize the same. I also thank the Olympic Council of Asia for supporting the event today as Yoga is now a sports discipline recognized by the Olympic Council of Asia. We are also privileged to have the presence of Dr H R Nagendra, renowned yoga master and President of SVYASA University. We are equally honoured to have amongst us the first PadmaShri awardee from Kuwait and President of the Kuwait Yoga  Committee Sheikha Shaikha A J Sabah, who was awarded the coveted honour by Hon’ble President of India earlier this year for her contribution in promoting yoga in Kuwait and the region. It is because of efforts of people like her that we have a Kuwait Yoga Committee today and we are publicly celebrating the International day of Yoga in Kuwait. 

3. The International Day of Yoga, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister   Shri Narendra Modi, and endorsed by the United Nations, is an event that surpasses boundaries, cultures, and religions. We appreciate the fact that Kuwait was one of the co-sponsors of the Yoga Day resolution at the UN, which received support from 177 countries. It is a day when millions globally unite to embrace the ancient practice of yoga, deeply rooted in Indian heritage. All Embassies and Posts of India across the globe are organizing IDY event today in different scales and formats to popularize this ancient practice of India. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for one Earth, One Health,’ aptly underscores the significance of yoga for personal well-being of all.

Friends, 

4. Yoga is much more than a physical exercise; it is a comprehensive lifestyle that integrates the body, mind, and spirit. It provides a journey towards inner peace, balance, and self-awareness. With consistent practice, individuals can undergo significant improvements in their overall well-being, leading to healthier and more fulfilling lives. I am sure Dr Nagendra will provide some insights into health benefits of yoga.

5. I am happy to see that yoga is gaining popularity in Kuwait as well. We see an increasing number of yoga studios, with different variations of yoga, coming up. I want to convey to these yoga studios that the Embassy will be more than happy to support their activities to the extent possible. I also want to inform that the Embassy conducts weekly yoga free classes at the Embassy which is open to all. 

6. As we celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga, let us remember that yoga is not confined to a single day or event. It is a lifelong pursuit that encourages us to embrace a healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally. I encourage all of you to suitably incorporate yoga into your daily routines and share its virtues with your families, friends, and communities. 

7. In order to promote the practice of Yoga, especially amongst youngsters, Embassy organized  a number of curtain-raiser events in schools in Kuwait in the run up to today’s event. There were also talk shows on Kuwait TV highlighting the benefits of Yoga. Embassy in also promoting Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) which is a global mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment since it goes hand in hand with the ethos of Yoga. 

8. I once again thank all of you for joining us today. My special thanks to the heads of yoga associations which collaborated with us for organizing today’s event, the yoga instructors who worked with us for the curtain raiser events and for the event today as well as those who will showcase different aspects of yoga today. And finally to my Embassy team for making this event possible. 

Thank you!