Mauritius: “The Republic of Mauritius is committed to encouraging healthy living and wellness, including the practice of Yoga”, stated the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, this morning onboard CGS Barracuda at Quay A in Port Louis harbour.
The President was participating in a Yoga session organised by the High Commission of India and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture on the occasion of the 9th International Day of Yoga.
The Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram; the High Commissioner of the Republic of India, K. Nandini Singla; Members of Parliament and the Diplomatic Corps; eminent personalities; students and the elderly were also present at the event.
In his address for the occasion, President Roopun affirmed that efforts were indeed being made for the practice of Yoga across the country and called on all citizens to seize the opportunity to explore and benefit from its practice.
He put forward that Yoga was a holistic discipline that united the body, mind and spirit, offering a pathway to inner peace, harmony and well-being. “It is a way of living with an emphasis on ethical living while also aligning with the principle of Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family,” he said.
According to the President, Yoga was a unique legacy that India bestowed to the world, besides its rich cultural tapestry, its culinary treasures, and its concept of non-violence and inclusiveness.
Speaking about India’s contribution to the welfare and well-being of humanity, Roopun stressed the recognition and acknowledgement by the World Health Organization (WHO) of the importance of Ayurveda as a holistic healthcare system with its decision to set up a WHO centre for traditional medicine in India.
For the President, the Yoga session held in Port Louis was part of a bigger exercise being undertaken worldwide, with the culmination being the Yoga session led by Indian Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Moreover, Roopun laid emphasis on the theme for this year’s International Day of Yoga, which is ‘Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, meaning Yoga for the Welfare of All as One World-One Family. “The theme beautifully reflects the essence of Yoga, which is connecting everybody, and its profound impact on the well-being of humanity,” he underscored.
The President also stressed that the International Day of Yoga was an opportune time to celebrate the special bond and dynamic people-to-people ties which exist between Mauritius and India. He thus underlined that Mauritius was privileged to have been invited as a special guest throughout India’s G20 presidency.
For her part, the Indian High Commissioner was delighted by the interest of the population in Yoga. She recalled that Yoga was part of the primary school curriculum in Mauritius, with 550 teachers having been trained in Yoga protocol.
She added that currently, 2 000 Mauritians are enrolled in Yoga courses at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture in Phoenix, and 325 students are practising Yoga in four schools. Singla cited as well other public institutions, like the Judiciary, for which Yoga sessions were being run.
