NEW YORK: In a remarkable celebration to honour the 9th International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led an extraordinary yoga session at the United Nations Headquarters.
The event witnessed the participation of distinguished UN officials, global envoys, and prominent individuals from various countries. The event also created Guinness World Record for people of most nationalities, 130 countries, doing yoga together.
Among the prominent names who attended the session were Hungarian diplomat Csaba Korosi, who is also the current President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly.
ALSO READ: In US, Indian expats bat for PM Modi’s re-election
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group Amina Mohammed also attended the meeting.
Hollywood was led by Richard Gere, who is also an advocate for human rights in Tibet. He is a co-founder of the Tibet House, US and chairman of the Board of Directors for the International Campaign for Tibet.
ALSO READ: Elections lurk quietly in shadows of Modi’s US visit
Vala Afshar, chief digital evangelist at Salesforce, Jay Shetty, award-winning storyteller and podcaster; and award-winning Indian chef and restaurateur Vikas Khanna were also among the attendees.
COO of Cloud computing tech major VM Ware Mike Hayes, who is also a former director of the National Security Council and Britt Kelly Slabinski, a highly decorated US Navy SEAL officer, also attended the session.
ALSO READ: PM Modi kickstarts US visit with meetings with bizmen, civil society
Francisco D’Souza, Founder and CEO of private equity firm Recognize, celebrated yoga teachers Colleen Saidman Yee, Deidra Demens and Rodney Yee also attended the session at UN Headquarters.
Christopher Tompkins, who is a scholar of South and Southeast Asian Studies at Berkeley University in California and Victoria Gibbs, celebrated yoga teacher and meditation coach, also attended the session.
ALSO READ: After meeting, Elon Musk says he’s ‘fan of PM Modi’ & his India vision
Jahnavi Harrison, known by her spiritual name, Jahnavi Jivana Dasi, a British musician known for her kirtans, and her husband Kenneth Lee made it a family affair.
Travis Mills, an Afghanistan war veteran who lost all his limbs and now promotes yoga, meditation and wellness to overcome adversity, and Jeffrey D Long, Professor of Religion and Asian Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, also attended the meet.
ALSO READ: Modi’s US visit: Geopolitical games & bids to overthrow BJP in 2024
Seema Mody, global markets reporter for CNBC, and Zain Asher, CNN news anchor, will be among the mix of attendees at the session.
Grammy Award winners Ricky Kej and Falguni Shah, along with singer-actress Mary Millben, added some musical touch to the session.
The function was also attended by personalities and influencers from all walks of life, including diplomats, officials, academicians, health professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, media personalities, artists, spiritual leaders and yoga practitioners, among others.
In a video message marking the International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised India’s commitment to nurturing traditions that foster unity, acceptance, and inclusivity. He fervently urged individuals to embrace yoga as a means to overcome contradictions, obstacles, and resistance.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
The United Nations General Assembly officially designated June 21 as International Yoga Day after a resolution initiated by India and supported by numerous nations. This significant day, first observed on June 21, 2015, aims to promote the practice of yoga worldwide and highlight its profound benefits for physical and mental well-being.
PM Modi’s yoga session at the UN Headquarters underscores the global recognition and significance of this ancient practice. The event serves as a testament to India’s dedication to spreading the principles of yoga, which encompass harmony, balance, and spiritual growth.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
