VICTORIA, Seychelles — The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated over the weekend at the Palais des Sports in Roche Caiman. The event was organised by the Indian High Commission in Seychelles. Observed annually on June 21, the International Day of Yoga was officially declared by the United Nations in December 2014 to promote global awareness of the benefits of yoga as a path to well-being and inner peace. The date also coincides with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolising life, light and vitality.
In just over a decade, the observance has grown into a worldwide celebration of yoga in its many forms, with countries across the globe now recognising yoga as a key contributor to physical and mental health. The event in Seychelles drew a large number of yoga enthusiasts, reflecting the practice’s growing popularity in the country. Indian High Commissioner Kartik Pande welcomed participants and noted that in a world filled with stress, yoga offers a way to restore balance and inner harmony.
The Seychelles celebration forms part of a global effort by the Indian government and Indian diplomatic missions worldwide to share the ancient practice with communities. The High Commission has signalled its intention to continue working with local partners, including wellness centres and the National Sports Council, to make yoga more widely accessible. Practitioners and instructors attending the event said they hope to see yoga integrated more fully into national wellness and workplace well-being programmes in the coming years.
