The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B) and the Ministry of AYUSH have initiated preparations for the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2024. Secretary Sanjay Jaju and Secretary Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha reviewed media and outreach activities for the annual event, celebrated on 21st June. The focus is on promoting the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) and highlighting the benefits of yoga.
Media and Outreach Activities
The Media Units of the Ministry of I&B are organizing various programs to raise awareness about the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) and the benefits of yoga. These activities involve multiple media units, including the Press Information Bureau, Prasar Bharati, and the New Media Wing.
- Prasar Bharati: Broadcasting and telecasting programs through Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR), including interviews with yoga experts and special LIVE morning shows.
- Akashvani: Collaborating with the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga to broadcast programs promoting yoga as a way of life.
- Ministry of AYUSH: Sharing the newly prepared ‘Yoga Geet’ across all media platforms.
Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman Awards
The Ministry of I&B will continue to encourage private media organizations through the Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman (AYDMS) awards. These awards recognize the contributions of media houses in spreading the message of yoga across various platforms:
- Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Newspaper
- Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Electronic Media (TV)
- Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Electronic Media (Radio)
The awards for this year, along with those from last year, will be presented after the completion of the 2024 celebrations.
Engaging Activities
The New Media Wing (NMW) is planning several engaging activities to promote yoga, including:
- Yoga with Family Contest: Families are challenged to do yoga together and upload reels using the Yoga Geet.
- Yoga Quiz – Guess the Aasan: An interactive quiz to engage participants in identifying yoga poses.
- IDY 2024 Podcast: A special podcast series focused on the benefits of yoga and its global impact.
Key Activities for IDY 2024
Activity |
Description |
|---|---|
| Prasar Bharati Programs | Broadcasting yoga programs and interviews |
| Akashvani Collaboration | Promoting yoga with Morarji Desai National Institute |
| Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Awards | Recognizing media contributions in promoting yoga |
| Yoga with Family Contest | Social media challenge for families |
| Yoga Quiz | Interactive quiz on yoga poses |
| IDY 2024 Podcast | Podcast series on yoga benefits and global impact |
Government Support and Community Involvement
The scale of IDY celebrations has been increasing each year, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading efforts to promote yoga globally. The 2023 celebrations saw significant participation, with over 15,000 participants in the main national event in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.
The event set a Guinness World Record with delegates from 135 nations participating in the yoga celebration at the UN headquarters.
Global Initiatives
The ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ involved naval personnel from 19 ships across 34 countries participating in yoga demonstrations. The Indian armed forces conducted the ‘Yoga Bharatmala’ and coastal demonstrations termed ‘Yoga Sagarmala.’ At the grassroots level, the ‘Har Aangan Yoga’ initiative connected rural communities, organizing yoga sessions in around 200,000 locations, with an estimated 23.4 crore participants.
The Final Word
The International Day of Yoga 2024 preparations by the Ministry of I&B and the Ministry of AYUSH highlight the importance of promoting yoga’s benefits globally. Through a variety of outreach activities, media engagement, and community involvement, the celebrations aim to foster a sense of unity and well-being.
Sources: THX News, AMRITA, Hello My Yoga & Ministry for Information and Broadcasting.
