Indian Embassy celebrated International Day of Yoga (DY) in the morning of 21st June on a grand scale despite the heavy rains, within the Embassy premises. Vice President Parmanand Jha graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Prior to the International Yoga Day, daily quiz on Yoga was conducted through the Facebook page of the Embassy, Essay and Drawing competitions (on Yoga) were also conducted by the Mission. A souvenir on Yoga was published by the Mission and launched jointly by the Vice President of Nepal Parmanand Jha and Ambassador Ranjit Rae during the programme.

Articles on yoga written by the yoga scholars as well as 5 best essays and 5 best drawings chosen out from the essay and drawing competitions have been included in the souvenir. The programme included 30 minutes of yoga postures, pranayams (breathing exercises), which was followed by lectures from three Yoga scholars namely Swami Arun Anand from Osho Tapoban, Shri Niraj Kohli – Director of IAHV Art of Living and Lava Dev Mishra – Centre In-charge of Patanajlai Yogpeeth spoke on different aspects of Yoga such as Yoga history and principles, scientific aspect of Yoga and practical aspect of Yoga. Rt. Hon’ble Vice President and Ambassador threw light on importance of Yoga in day to day life.   

Top Nepalese celebrities such as Manisha Koirala, veteran actors Hari Bansa Acharya, Madan Krishna Shreshtha and actress Mala Limbu and other celebrities and high dignitaries of Nepal also participated in the celebration. In addition to them, the students of Kendriya Vidyalaya, officials of Embassy and their family members and members of various Yoga organisations of Nepal such as Patanjali Yoga Ashram, Manokranti Yoga Centre, Aurobindo Yoga Ashram, Art of Living, Mind and Management, Osho Tapoban, Himalyan International Yoga Academy & Research center and some Indo-Nepal Friendship organisations participated in the event. International Day of Yoga was also celebrated at different places in Nepal. 16 organisations from Kathmandu and surrounding areas were directly involved with the Embassy to celebrate the first International Day of Yoga.

"Over 800 persons participated in the event which included top celebrities of Nepal, Members of Nepal-Bharat Friendship Societies, members of all major schools of Yoga, officials of the Nepal Government, the Indian Embassy, Kendriya Vidyalaya Students among others," said Indian Embassy. 

Many schools and organisations across the country including Birganj, Biratnagar, Bhairhawa, Nepalganj and Pokhara organised special programmes on Yoga to mark the occasion.