International Day of Yoga is celebrated on 21 June each year to raise awareness about the many benefits of practicing Yoga for people all over the world.
Daily Current Affairs Quiz 2021
This year, the theme is ‘Yoga For Wellness’, which focuses on practising Yoga for physical and mental wellbeing.
The date was chosen because June 21 is the longest day in Northern Hemisphere. The word Yoga has originated from the Sanskrit word Yuja which means ‘to join or to unite.’
The idea of International Yoga Day was conceived by PM Modi, who proposed the concept on September 27, 2014, during his speech at the UN General Assembly.
The resolution to adopt June 21 as International Yoga Day was introduced in the UN by India’s Ambassador, Ashoke Kumar Mukerji.
The resolution had received support from 177 nations, the highest number of co-sponsors for any UN Resolution. Currently, countries ranging from Canada to the USA participate in this event.
