BOSNIA, HERZEGOVINA CELEBRATE YOGA DAY
Although ‘Yoga’ has its roots in the Indian tradition, the practice is no longer confined to the same anymore. Gaining quick popularity, Yoga became an integral part of the Western culture long before the announcement of international yoga day in 2015. After the United Nations, declared June 21 as the International Yoga day two years back, thousands of yoga enthusiasts across the world celebrate this day or infact a week practicing yoga on a large scale.
Similarly this year, the Embassy of India, Budapest successfully celebrated the 3rd International Day of Yoga, in three cities of Bosnia & Herzegovina — Sarajevo, Banja Luka & Mostar, with over hundreds of Bosnians participating and conveying the message of love, peace and harmony.
With the participation of the local yoga schools, longtime practitioners and newcomers alike, the first event of the 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrations organised by the Mission took place on June 18 in Sarajevo. On this auspicious occasion, Ambassador Rahul Chhabra welcomed a large number of attendees at the historic City Hall, which reflected the interest and the love for Indian culture among Bosnians.
The Chief Guest of the event, Amira Arifovic-harms, Head of Department for Peace and Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, BIH expressed her deep appreciation for the initiative. Post inauguration, several cultural performances took place such as the public yoga practice led by Sneh, a Yoga teacher from India. The official programme concluded with a Bhajan performed by ISKCON, BIH. The function was followed by high tea attended by some prominent mebers such as Ibrahim Spahic, director of the Sarajevo Winter Festival, and Dunja Masic newly-elected President of the Bosnia-india Friendship Society.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of India with the support from the Mayor Office of Banja Luka and Dukatfest, International Culture and Music Festival organised the 3rd International Day of Yoga celebration in Banja Luka on June 17-18. During the weekend long celebrations, Bosnians as well as Indians residing in the country came together to raise awareness of healthy and conscious lifestyle by practicing yogic asanas, perfoming Indian dance styles on Indian numbers.
Vijay Khanduja, Counsellor of the Embassy of India, Budapest and Ljubinka Dragojevic, Chief of department for Social Services, Banja Luka graced the occasion with their presence. Surya Prakash, Indian yoga master came on stage first and he was followed by local teachers who held yoga practice for the children. Cultural performances were organized at Saborni Hram Hrista Spasitelja, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour as part of the Dukatfest, a colourful international cultural festival in Banja Luka.
Ambassador Rahul Chhabra inaugurated the event and expressed his gratefulness towards Nikolina Cato, Director of the Dukatfest for the opportunity.
The third event of the 3rd International Day of Yoga celebrations organised by the Embassy of India took place at the historic Spanish Square in Mostar. The City of Mostar was represented by Radmila Komadina, Chief Advisor to the Mayor. After Ambassador Rahul Chhabra greeted the audience, it was followed by various cultural performances and public yoga sessions by the Bosnian Yoga in Daily Life and an Indian Yoga master, Surya Prakash. At the end everyone was invited to enjoy the mouth savouring Indian delicacies.
In all the above three cities, there were performances by the sitar tabla jodi of Szabolcs Toth and Pandit Rajesh Gangani, classical Kuchipudi dance performance of Gabriella Toth, and classical Kathak show by Saumya Shukla.