International Day of Yoga – Soft Diplomacy of India

International Day of Yoga – Soft Diplomacy of India

Tomorrow, June 21, the international community under the aegis of

the UN, is celebrating International Day of Yoga – the event proclaimed by the UN in December, 2014 to promote ‘global health, harmony and peace’. It was done on the initiative of India as an important tenant of ‘Soft Diplomacy of India’ and the Day is observed in the entire world on each consecutive year. I wrote a blog on the occasion on June 21, 2015

https://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2015/06/international-yoga-day.html

It has been officially stated “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is the theme for this year's International Yoga Day 2023, which beautifully captures our shared aspiration for “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.”  Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the global celebration of yoga this year from the United Nations headquarters in New York who is on a state visit to the USA. Before leaving for the occasion, PM Narenda Modi said, "I will commence my visit in New York, where I will celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 at the United Nations Headquarters with the UN leadership and members of the international community” and added, "I look forward to this special celebration at the very location that supported India's proposal in December 2014 to recognize an International Day of Yoga.”

It is a matter of gratification to note that India has been, and rightly so, an active player in initiating and supporting ‘lofty ideals’ of Indian thought and philosophy for the benefit and advantage of humanity under its ‘Soft Diplomacy’ approaches. It may be recalled

that in June, 2007, on the initiative of India during the tenure of PM Manmohan Singh, the UN declared October 2, birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as the International Day of Non-violence to promote the ‘philosophy of non-violence’ which is one of important aims of the UN to bring about ‘peace and prosperity’ in the world.

It is not the time to contend with the ‘laurels’ received and earned as of now. ‘We the people of India’ with the rich legacy of India that is Bharat have much to give to the world for the larger benefit of the humanity at large. In this direction, it may be added; a concrete proposal has already been made and floated to declare April 14, birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, an icon of ‘Equality, Liberty, Justice and Fraternity’ and the chief architect of the Indian constitution, as International Day of Equality under the arrangements of the UN. Government of India is yet to take a decision on this in spite of the fact that the proposal was made in June, 2015 in the run up to  celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of one of the greatest sons of India, Babasaheb Ambedkar. Much water has flown in the Ganges in India and the Hudson in New York but GOI is still sitting tight on the subject. We have been constantly following up the matter with the concerned authorities particularly; MEA and PMO in New Delhi. Many cities and states of Canada, USA, UK, Australia and other countries, taking cue from the proposal on International Day of Equality and  in cooperation and consultation with the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar, have already proclaimed April 14 as ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equality’ in their respective areas. Some more details are available in my latest blog on the subject: http://diplomatictitbits.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-more-merrier-all-buddhist-and-guru.html

125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar at the UN,

While I greet PM Narendra Modi on the International Day of Yoga, I wish to register here my (may be termed) as an ‘utopian fantasy’ - PM Narendra Modi might share his mind or decision of the GOI to take the proposal on International Day of Equality to the UN through official and diplomatic channels while he leads the International Day of Yoga at the UN in New York on June 21. Of course, PM Narendra Modi is known for springing surprises and taking out of the box decisions. While doing so, he would not only be honoring, the greatest icon of equality, Babasaheb Ambedkar but also be carrying forward the ‘Soft Diplomacy’ of India in order to strengthen the UN in its forward march towards establishing an ‘Equitable World Order’. This gesture by India under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi would be much appreciated not only in India but in the comity of nations at the UN.

Greetings on the International Day of Yoga.