Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma today emphasised yoga’s role as a unifying force between Bangladesh and India during International Yoga Day celebrations, stating the ancient practice reinforces their shared commitment to wellness and harmony.
Addressing the event, Verma reflected on the deep cultural ties between the nations, rooted in their common history and the sacrifices of Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War. “Yoga transcends borders, connecting millions worldwide through its universal appeal,” he noted, highlighting this year’s theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which underscores the interconnection between personal wellbeing and global sustainability.
The celebration, jointly organised by the Indian High Commission and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), featured demonstrations by six leading Bangladeshi yoga institutions. IGCC Director Ann Mary George recalled the initiative’s origins, mentioning how Prime Minister Narendra Modi first proposed International Yoga Day at the UN General Assembly in September 2014, with the UN officially declaring June 21 as the annual observance that December.
The Dhaka event saw enthusiastic participation from yoga practitioners across Bangladesh, including senior citizens above 70 years who were specially honored. Notable attendees included popular actor Chanchal Chowdhury, alongside cultural figures, artists, journalists and youth representatives.
Parallel celebrations in India saw PM Modi leading sessions in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, reinforcing yoga’s timeless message of unity. The Sanskrit term yoga, meaning “to unite”, perfectly captures the practice’s essence of harmonising body and consciousness. Since its UN recognition in 2014, International Yoga Day has grown into a global movement promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing while embodying the Indian philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world as one family.
The Dhaka celebrations demonstrated how this 5000-year-old tradition continues gaining worldwide popularity while maintaining its core values of unity and holistic health, serving as yet another cultural bridge between Bangladesh and India.
