Yoga today is embraced by all cultures and all continents of the world: Indian PM Modi
The 10th International Yoga Day is being observed in Nepal by organizing various programs on Friday.
In 2014, the United Nations designated June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on the basis of a draft resolution moved by the Government of India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
In his message addressed to world leaders including Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has underlined that “In the decade gone by, what began as a Resolution by the UN General Assembly, has grown into a global movement promoting health and well-being. Yoga is today embraced by all cultures and all continents of the world,” reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
To celebrate the 10th edition of the International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and the Consulate General of India in Birgunj organized a series of engaging events across 10 cities and municipalities in Nepal including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lamjung, Lumbini, Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Gaur and Pokhariya.
In keeping with this year’s theme of “Yoga for Self and Society”, the Indian Embassy organized two curtain raiser events including a yoga demonstration at the revered Pashupatinath temple and a lecture-cum-demonstration for the girls of Maiti Nepal in Kathmandu on June 7, 2024.
On 19 June 2024, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu organized a yoga and meditation practice for more than 450 participants on the banks of Lake Phewa in Pokhara, underscoring Yoga’s role as a bridge between human consciousness and nature. On the same day, the Embassy also organized a yoga demonstration and free health consultation with Ayurvedic practitioners, focusing on the health benefits of yoga and ayurveda, for the students of Pokhara University. The Vice Chancellor of Pokhara University and several senior professors also participated, according to the statement.
On 20 June 2024, the Embassy of India in Nepal organized yoga demonstrations at three iconic landmarks of Pokhara – the Sarangkot view point that offers panoramic views of the Annapurna mountain range; the Shiva Temple at Pumdikot which brings together a spiritual ambience with majestic views; and the Shanti Stupa situated on the picturesque Anadu Hill. Experienced Yoga instructors led the participants through a series of asanas, pranayama and meditation techniques, highlighting the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of Yoga.
The Embassy of India also organized a large-scale yoga demonstration for more than 900 participants at the Lumbini Development Trust, Lumbini on 20 June 2024. The event was attended by Chief Minister of Lumbini Jokh Bahadur Mahara and other provincial leaders.
Chief Minister Mahara thanked the Embassy of India for organizing the significant Yoga event at the birthplace of Lord Buddha and for strengthening India- Nepal cultural ties. Ambassador Naveen Srivastava emphasized on the universal appeal of Yoga and its importance in fostering a healthy, mindful and sustainable lifestyle.
The center-piece of the Embassy of India’s celebration of the International Day of Yoga in Nepal in 2024 was the mega yoga demonstration event organized at Pokhara’s Rangshala Stadium in association with the Pokhara Metropolitan City on June 21, 2024.
Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surindra Raj Pandey, Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City Dhana Raj Acharya and over 5000 yoga enthusiasts from the region participated in this event.
The Gandaki Province Chief Minister thanked the Embassy of India for organizing the largest International Yoga Day event in Pokhara this year, the statement further reads.
He underlined that the Government of Nepal had supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposal for designating 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. He also emphasized that Yoga is an important component of the profound and enduring cultural ties between India and Nepal.
Ambassador Naveen Srivastava highlighted that Yoga serves as a powerful cultural bridge between India and Nepal and that the organization of Yoga events in important tourist locations in Nepal can also serve to boost Yoga tourism in these places.
The Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City thanked the Embassy for supporting the initiative to establish Pokhara as the tourism capital of Nepal by organizing such large-scale events in the city. He reaffirmed that the city of Pokhara looks forward to collaborating with the Embassy every year for the celebration of the International Day of Yoga.
The Consulate General of India also organized International Day of Yoga events in Janakpur, Chitwan, Birgunj, Hetauda, Gaur and Pokhariya.
To wrap up the celebration of the 10th edition of the International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India will be organizing a yoga demonstration event at the scenic Lamjung district in association with the Madhya Nepal Municipality on June 22, 2024.
The Embassy of India is committed to encouraging people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Nepal based on the shared interest in yoga and holistic health practices.
PM Dahal meets his Indian counterpart Modi
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who is on an official visit to India, held a meeting with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Sunday evening.
In the meeting held at New Delhi, Prime Minister Dahal congratulated Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, for taking charge of the country's executive head for the third consecutive time and expressed confidence that the relations between Nepal and India would reach a new height during his tenure.
On the occasion, they discussed various issues of bilateral interest and mutual relations between Nepal and India. Matters related to the implementation of agreements and understandings signed between the two countries in the past were also discussed.
PM Dahal attended the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Modi on Sunday evening.
The Prime Minister had left Kathmandu for New Delhi on Sunday.
He is accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government officials.
Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to return home this evening.
PM Dahal off to India to take part in Modi’s swearing-in ceremony
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has left for New Delhi, India on Sunday to participate in the swearing-in ceremony of his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
He left for Delhi at 1 pm today.
Speaker Devraj Ghimire, National Assembly Chairman Narayan Prasad Dahal, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Physical Infrastructure Raghubir Mahaseth, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha and high-ranking officials had reached the Tribhuvan International Airport to bid farewell to Prime Minister Dahal.
He was accompanied by his daughter Ganga Dahal, Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Padam Giri, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal and other high-ranking government employees.
Indian Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to take oath for the third term this evening.
During the visit, Prime Minister Dahal is also scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Modi, according to the Nepali Embassy in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Dahal is scheduled to return home tomorrow.
PM Dahal leaving for India to take part in Modi’s swearing in ceremony
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal is leaving for India on Saturday to take part in the oath taking ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Prime Minister Modi is preparing to take the oath of office and secrecy for the third time on Saturday.
Prime Minister Dahal and his Indian counterpart Modi held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday night.
On the occasion, the two leaders briefly discussed the matters concerning mutual benefits and common interests of both the countries, a Baluwatar source informed.
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During the conversation, Indian Prime Minister Modi invited Dahal to participate in his swearing in ceremony.
After receiving Modi’s formal invitation, Prime Minister Dahal started preparations to leave for India.
According to a source, he will leave for New Delhi on Friday evening or Saturday morning.
The Prime Minister’s Office informed that a Cabinet meeting to be held today will decide on the Prime Minister’s visit by accepting Modi’s invitation.
PM Modi submits resignation to President after cabinet recommends LS dissolution
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired the last meeting of the outgoing Union cabinet which recommended dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha, setting in motion the process of formation of the next government after the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a narrow majority in the Lok Sabha.
PM Modi drove down to Rashtrapati Bhavan to call on President Droupadi Murmu soon after.
“The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, met the President today and tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers. The President has accepted the resignation and requested Shri Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers to continue till the new Government assumes office,” a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said.
People familiar with the matter said the cabinet meeting to recommend dissolution of the Lok Sabha was held at the prime minister’s residence at about 11:30am.
The term of the current 17th Lok Sabha ends on June 16.
At 293 seats, the NDA is comfortably above the majority mark of 272 in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The BJP, which secured 240 seats, had fallen short of the halfway mark for the first time since 2014, and is dependent on its allies for government formation.
Bihar chief minister and Janata Dal (United) or JD(U) leader Nitish Kumar, Maharashtra CM and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde and N Chandrababu Naidu, the head of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), have already reached New Delhi to attend the meeting of the NDA later in the day.
The three are key to the BJP’s numbers to form the government. The TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats (its partner the Jana Sena won two; so it should be counted as 18); the JD(U), 12; and the Shiv Sena, 7. The 37 seats, added to the BJP’s 240, will take the party safely beyond the majority mark of 272.
The NDA meeting will coincide with that of the Opposition’s INDIA’s bloc, which won 233 seats despite being written off in the exit polls.
Indian PM Modi to inaugurate 9th edition of Raisina Dialogue
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to inaugurate the 9th edition of Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics.
The Dialogue will be held from 21-23 February, 2024.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will join the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, and deliver the keynote address.
The 9th Raisina Dialogue will witness the participation of representatives from over 100 countries including Ministers, former Heads of State and Heads of Government, Military Commanders, Captains of Industry, Technology Leaders, Academics, Journalists, Scholars on Strategic Affairs, Experts from leading Think Tanks, and Youth.
The theme of the 2024 edition is "Chaturanga: Conflict, Contest, Cooperate, Create”. Over three days, decision-makers and thought leaders of the world will engage each other across conversations in various formats, over six thematic pillars: (i) Tech Frontiers: Regulations & Realities; (ii) Peace with the Planet: Invest & Innovate; (iii) War & Peace: Armouries & Asymmetries; (iv) Decolonising Multilateralism: Institutions & Inclusion; (v) The Post 2030 Agenda: People & Progress; and (vi) Defending Democracy: Society & Sovereignty.
Over 2500 participants from about 115 countries will be joining the Dialogue in person, and the proceedings will be viewed by millions across the world on various digital platforms.
Supreme Court directs EC to conduct elections In Jammu and Kashmir by September 2024
The Supreme Court bench on Monday directed the Election Commission to conduct elections of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly by September 30, 2024, Outlook reported.
The five-judge Supreme Court bench delivered the verdict on petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud during the verdict said that they have directed that restoration of statehood in the Union Territory of J&K be done at the earliest.
CJI reportedly said, "We direct that steps shall be taken by the Election Commission of India to conduct elections to the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir constituted under Section 14 of the Reorganisation Act by 30 September 2024; restoration of statehood shall take place at the earliest and as soon as possible."
India stands in solidarity with people of Nepal: PM Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed his grief over the loss of lives and properties due to the earthquake in Nepal.
He said that India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance.
“Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery,” the Indian Prime Minister said.
The death toll has risen to 128 after an earthquake measuring 6.4 in the Richter scale jolted west Nepal on Friday night.
Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery. @cmprachanda
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 4, 2023
