KABUL/ HERAT CITY (SW): Afghanistan joined the international community on Sunday (21 June) to celebrate the maiden International Yoga Day.
Indian Embassy in Kabul and Indian Consulate in Heart city facilitated Yoga sessions in Afghanistan.
Large number of Afghans and foreigners residing in Kabul took part in Yoga sessions inside the Indian Embassy compound in the Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood of the capital. Amar Sinha, the Indian Ambassador too was present on the occasion.
In western city Herat, Yoga sessions were held at the Salma dame site.
Amit Kumar Mishra, the Indian Consulate General said the main purpose of celebrating this day was to promote Yoga among locals. He mentioned efforts were under way to add Yoga part of sports curriculum. Mishra highlighted the health benefits of yoga.
Abdul Qayum Jami, Provincial Sports Director, welcomed the move and stressed that Yoga was suitable for all age people and can be practiced everywhere anytime.
In the Indian capital Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the Yoga day celebrations. He joined more than 35000 countrymen and practiced Yoga for over half an hour.
June 21, was declared as the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice or discipline that originated in India.
Hindu Lord Shiva is believed to be the first yoga practitioner who is said to have begun imparting the knowledge of yoga to the rest of mankind on this day and became the first guru (Adi Guru).
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