Indian Navy Creates 'Ocean Ring' To Mark International Yoga Day

The Indian Navy, in collaboration with the AYUSH and other ministries, has deployed its ships in the Indian Ocean Region to form a ring to commemorate the International Day of Yoga (IDY) today. The formation has been christened as 'Ocean Ring of Yoga' that symbolises unity and solidarity.

Indian naval ships are visiting various ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' which is also the theme of IDY this year. Yoga sessions are being held at most of these foreign ports visited by the ships.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) recognised 21st June as IDY in December 2014 at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Since 2015, the day is being observed worldwide with great enthusiasm and fervour, 2023 being the ninth year.

The Indian Navy has been an ambassador for Yoga across the seas for several years now, thereby spreading the message of the benefits accrued from Yoga towards leading a healthy lifestyle. As part of its IDY celebration this year, Indian Navy is actively conducting events at a global scale.

Port calls were taken up at Chattogram, Bangladesh; Safaga, Egypt; Jakarta, Indonesia; Mombasa, Kenya; Toamasina, Madagascar; Muscat, Oman; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; and Dubai, UAE, by Indian Navy ships 'Kiltan', 'Chennai', 'Shivalik', 'Sunayna', 'Trishul', 'Tarkash', 'Vagir', 'Sumitra' and 'Brahmaputra', respectively.

In all, nearly 3,500 naval personnel onboard 19 Indian naval ships have travelled for over 35,000 km so far as part of the Ocean Ring of Yoga event. This includes over 2,400 personnel, acting as ambassadors of Yoga in both national and international waters, on 11 Indian naval ships at foreign ports or international waters.

Notably, the day was celebrated onboard ships of several foreign navies in concert with India's overseas missions, involving over 1,200 foreign navy personnel.

The activities of the Indian naval ships at foreign ports involved the ship crew and personnel from the host country and would be focused on the 'Common Yoga Protocol' (CYP), to increase awareness about yoga on an international scale and to highlight its immense potential to enhance physical, psychological and emotional aspects of well-being.

IDY activities at all naval ports, bases, ships and establishments have commenced in an an endeavour to facilitate its worldwide adoption. These activities include practising CYP and conducting Yoga-related activities daily in the run-up to the final event on Wednesday.

Yoga awareness campaigns were held to encourage maximum participation by naval personnel, defence civilians and families as promulgated in the portals of the AYUSH Ministry, including 'Har Angaan Yoga'. Mass camps, workshops, poster-making competitions, quizzes and lectures on 'Health Benefits of Yoga' were also conducted across the Navy.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended an IDY event onboard INS Vikrant at Kochi today. He joined the Navy personnel to perform Yoga onboard the indigenously built aircraft carrier. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar was present during the event.

Armed forces personnel, including Agniveers, participated in the event embracing the spirit of unity and well-being. After a Yoga session, the Minister addressed the gathering and felicitated Yoga instructors. On the occasion, Indian Navy streamed an exclusive video on Indian Navy's outreach activities emphasising the theme 'Ocean Ring of Yoga'.