Over 400 Indians and Nigerians celebrated the International Day of Yoga on Sunday in Lagos.
They practised the meeting exercise together to foster peace, unity and harmony between the two nations within the premises of the Indian High Commission on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the International Day of Yoga is commemorated annually worldwide every June 21 since its declaration by United Nations General Assembly in 2014.
Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual exercise that originated in India.
Rachit Rawat, Head of Chancery of the High Commission of India in Lagos, said the 2019 Yoga day was organised to unite Nigerians and Indians living in Nigeria.
He said that Yoga had been as a unifying weapon engaged by Indians years back in their country.
He appreciated the UNGA for embracing the initiative which was proposed during one of its meetings by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
He said more people across the globe had embraced Yoga as a lifestyle since 2015 when it was approved by UNGA.
He, however, urged more Indians and Nigerians to cultivate the habit of engaging in Yoga for a healthy body and soul.
He said: “We are supporting this programme to ensure that everyone embraces Yoga for them to keep fit and healthy.
“I am happy that more people who embraced Yoga had fulfilled our usual slogan of: ‘May all be happy, may all be healthy, may all see good and may no one be unhappy.’
“We appreciate Narendra Modi and UNGA for creating an avenue for ensuring that Yoga impacts lives across the world positively.”
Sanjay Srivastava, President, Overseas Friends of Bhartiya Janata Party, Lagos chapter, urged everyone to improve on their overall wellbeing through constant Yoga engagement.
He said that Yoga was the cheapest form of exercise which does not require the buying of any materials before practising it.
He commended Nigerians who participated in the programme, urging them to make it a lifestyle and show interest in subsequent yoga trainings.
He said: “Constant engagement in Yoga keeps the body and soul healthy and fit; whoever makes it a lifestyle stands to enjoy numerous health benefits.
” We all know that stress associated with people in this part of the world is not palatable; everyone is struggling to get their means of livelihood so yoga relieves you of all forms of stress.”
He said would always promote a sense of responsibility, peace and harmony in the society.
He said the song salutation presented during the yoga training was another form of Yoga exercise.
He said: “The song salutation which we just presented takes care of over 75 per cent of human postures, it helps participants maintain good body postures and to develop healthy respiratory tracts.
“We have also enlightened the participants on the essence of Hindu which preaches peace among all human races regardless of individual’s religion or ethnic group.
“In Hindu, we believe everyone is equal.”
NAN also reports that there were different cultural displays in India indigenous music and dance.
