Indian Amb. Inaugurates IDY Celebrations in Hurghada

The Indian Ambassador to Egypt Shri Ajit Gupte inaugurated the International Day of Yoga in the Egyptian city of Hurghada.

For the 1st time, the Embassy of India in Cairo organised International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations in Hurghada. It is popular for its beaches and beautiful coral, with activities like scuba-ping, snorkeling and parasailing.

Every year, on June 21, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day Of Yoga. The day aims to spread awareness about the benefits of the spiritual and physical practice that had first started in ancient India.

June 21 was suggested to be the date to celebrate yoga as it is also the day of the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The summer solstice holds significance across many cultures.

International Day Of Yoga was first recognised by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. India's permanent representative to the United Nations at the time, Asoke Mukerji had submitted a resolution to the international body to recognise a day for the practice of yoga.

The proposal was submitted after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the General Assembly about setting a day for the celebration of Yoga and its benefits for all.

The resolution found 175 other co-sponsors, the highest ever for a resolution in the United Nations. As a result, the proposal was passed within 90 days of submitting it. With the passing of the resolution, the first International Day of Yoga was celebrated on June 21, 2015.