Empowering Women, Nurturing Children: Yoga for One Earth, One Health

From boardrooms to battlefields, women with physical and mental toughness can really make a difference; women must work towards unlocking their real strength and Yoga is a key to it.

- Smt. Annpurna Devi Union Minister for Women and Child Development

India, the birthplace of the ancient practice of Yoga, continues to uphold this ancient wisdom, not just as physical exercises but as a holistic philosophy for the nurturing of the human mind, body, and spirit. The Sanskrit phrase “योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्”, from the Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 2, Verse 50), means "Yoga is skill in action." This is a powerful teaching by Lord Krishna, which reminds us that true yoga is not limited to physical postures or meditation but is reflected in how skilfully and mindfully we perform our daily duties. As Union Minister of Women and Child Development, I firmly believe in Yoga's transformative potential, particularly in empowering women and nurturing childrenthe very foundations of our society.

Under the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Yoga has gained global recognition as a channel for wellness and social transformation. The United Nations' decision to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga in 2014 was the world's recognition of India's great spiritual and civilizational heritage.

This year, the theme of International Day of Yoga, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health", highlights Yoga's inclusive and universal appeal. Hon'ble Prime Minister also emphasised "Yoga is free from copyright, patent, royalty. It is flexible - you can practice alone, in a group, learn from a teacher, or be self-taught". As the nation steps towards a Viksit Bharat, it is necessary to integrate Yoga into the lives of women and children across the nation.