Muscat – The Embassy of India and Indian schools across Oman organised the Eighth International Day of Yoga at Indian School of Muscat on the theme ‘Yoga for Humanity.’ A large number of yoga enthusiasts attended and celebrated the commitment to move towards a healthy, peaceful and spiritually blissful lifestyle.

On the occasion, a short video was screened of yoga being performed at Riyam Park as a curtain raiser, followed by singer-songwriter Vineeth Pandit performing an original composition. In the highlight of the event, close to a thousand participants flexed and contoured their bodies in various yoga asanas on the Indian School Muscat playground, telecast live on Indian television.

“This year’s theme focuses on the benefits of yoga and how it helps achieve holistic health for every individual,” said Madhav Suresh, head boy of Indian School Muscat in his welcome speech.

The celebration on Tuesday was the culmination of ‘Muscat Yog Mahotsav – 75 days, 75 events’ launched on April 8, an initiative to popularise yoga particularly among Omani citizens. Muscat Yog Mahotsav featured 75 yoga events across Oman, including the cities of Muscat, Salalah, Sohar and Sur, in a 75-day period ending June 21. 

“Yoga is not a workout but a work-in and that is the point of this mystical practice that helps us attain serenity,” said Emmanuel Philipp, public relations coordinator of the event.

Besides chief guest Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed Salem al Shanfari, Chief of West Asia Department in the Foreign Ministry, and Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to Oman, the event was attended by members of the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman and other dignitaries.

The Indian envoy expressed his gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, the government and the people of Oman for their support. Describing the ancient Indian practice as a ‘gift of knowledge’ and ‘global heritage’, he urged the Omani government to include yoga as a health and sports discipline in schools and colleges for holistic health and wellness.

(Contributed by Fletcher Dsouza)