Permanent Mission of India, Geneva

Remarks by Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family Welfare at the
President’s Reception and Joint Inauguration of Photo-Exhibition on Yoga

(1830hrs; 19 May 2015)

Hon’ble Ministers,

Ambassadors,

Director General and

Distinguished delegates,

In my capacity as the President of the 68th World Health Assembly, I take the pleasure of extending a warm welcome to you all to this reception.

I thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring the smooth conduct of the Assembly proceedings in these last two days. I am confident that we will continue to work together to have a successful Assembly.

Excellencies,

We all recognize that in an increasingly interconnected world, the challenges to global health are becoming more diverse and more complex. We need WHO more than ever to take the lead role in coordinating and directing our collective efforts to promote and protect public health. I congratulate Dr. Chan for her visionary leadership in steering the organization through these challenging times.

Distinguished colleagues,

The importance of having a holistic approach to health cannot be overemphasized. We should encourage individuals and populations to make healthier choices and follow lifestyle patterns that foster good health.

In this context, we are happy to note the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly that declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, recognizing Yoga as a holistic system for achieving health and well-being. A record 177 countries co-sponsored this resolution. This is a testimony to the wide recognition and popularity Yoga has in the World.

I thank the Director General for joining me in inaugurating a photo-exhibition on “Yoga for All, Yoga for Health” to mark the adoption of this resolution. The exhibition has been curated by renowned photographer Benoy K. Bahl of India.  There are some informative booklets on Yoga that you may find useful and wish to carry them home.

I am please to note that the Permanent Missions of India in Geneva in collaboration with the United Nations Office in Geneva will be organizing a special event on June 21, 2015 to mark the first observance of the International Day of Yoga. I am sure that Geneva based Missions of all countries would join the event to make it a huge success.

I once again thank you for coming.

Please enjoy the reception and have a nice evening.

******