This year, the 6th International Day of Yoga (IDY), which falls on June 21 was celebrated virtually across the world due to the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, according to Embassy of India in Dushanbe.

IDY in the past years has been marked with thousands of public events with mass observance of Yoga in public places.  This year due to ongoing Covid 19 pandemic, it was not possible to hold such public events. However, with a view to continue raising health awareness and inspire people through yoga, the Ministry of AYUSH of India and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations launched the “My Life - My Yoga” (also called “Jeevan Yoga”) Global Video Blogging Contest.

This global contest on digital platform was launched on May 31 this year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  The contest was held in six categories and a total of 35141 entries were received from India and nearly 2000 entries were received from other countries, including Tajikistan.

On July 13, Embassy of India in Dushanbe felicitated the winners of the “My Life- My Yoga" Video blogging competition from Tajikistan at a gathering at Swami Vivekananda Cultural Center in Dushanbe. The winners were awarded participation certificate by the Ambassador of India to Tajikistan, Mr. Viraj Singh and Padma Shree Awardee, Professor Habibullo Rajabov of the Tajik State University.

The winners are:

• Professional Category, Female: (i) Umeda Pirmatova -- First Prize; (ii) Zebuniso Solieva -- Second Prize; and (iii) Zarina Kamolova -- Third Prize.

• Adult18 Category, Female: (i) Olga Mukhamedova -- First Prize; (ii) Madina Bandishoeva -- Second Prize; and (iii) Dilnoza Khudobakhshova -- Third Prize.

At the event, a booklet 'Common Yoga Protocol' was also launched in Tajik language to encourage people to practice Yoga from their home and thus stay healthy in these difficult times.  A soft copy of the booklet is available on Mission's website and social media platforms.  Embassy of India hopes that this will further popularize Yoga in Tajikistan and help Tajik citizens build up their immunity to fight the ongoing Corona virus pandemic as well as address any other ailments they have.