The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, has promoted yoga as an effective pathway to healthy ageing, urging Nigerians to embrace the ancient practice to maintain physical fitness, mental well-being and vitality throughout their lives.
Singh made the call on Saturday during the celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja, where participants gathered under the theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.”
The International Day of Yoga is observed annually on June 21 across the world to raise awareness of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of yoga and to encourage healthier lifestyles.
According to the envoy, yoga offers a practical and affordable way to prevent many age-related ailments while helping people remain active and healthy as they grow older.
“Yoga has got many benefits, but I emphasise that this year’s theme is healthy ageing because we have seen that many times when you age, you get many ailments which can be avoidable through the practice of yoga,” Singh said.
He added, “This is what we are going to convey to the masses—that if you practise yoga, you will be as youthful in your old age as you were in your youth. Practise yoga for good health and good ageing.”
The event attracted diplomats, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, students, the Indian community and wellness enthusiasts in a celebration of yoga’s growing global influence.
Addressing participants, Singh described yoga as an invaluable gift from India to humanity, noting that the practice promotes harmony between the mind, body and soul while fostering a balanced relationship between humans and nature.
He said yoga has become increasingly relevant in today’s fast-paced world, providing people with opportunities to reduce stress, improve flexibility and strengthen their overall health.
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“In the fast-paced modern lives, yoga provides a dedicated space to breathe deeply, reduce stress and cultivate mental clarity. By combining gentle movements, stretching, breathing exercises and mindfulness, yoga can help improve balance, flexibility, strength and mobility, while also supporting mental well-being and stress management,” he said.
The High Commissioner noted that yoga has evolved into a universal language of peace and wellness that transcends borders, cultures and languages.
He recalled that the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga in 2014 following a proposal by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in recognition of the practice’s universal appeal.
Speaking on the significance of the turnout at the Abuja event, Singh said the gathering demonstrated how yoga continues to bring people together regardless of nationality or background.
“The theme this year is Yoga for Healthy Ageing and everyone has now realised the importance of yoga not only for their physical well-being but also for their mental well-being,” he said.
“I have seen this great sea of humanity in the colours of the Indian flag—orange, white and green—and how it brings everyone across borders and languages together for the common purpose of uniting humanity for good health.”
He commended the National Sports Commission, officials of the High Commission of India, corporate partners and community members for supporting the event and encouraged participants to make yoga part of their daily lifestyle.
“Let us practise yoga to connect with ourselves and foster a sense of harmony and tranquillity that we can carry into our daily lives,” Singh said.
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