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High Commissioner Amb Abhishek Singh Remarks during 12th International Day of Yoga

High Commissioners’ Remarks at the 12 th IDY 2026:
Yoga for Healthy Ageing
Velodrome, National Stadium, Abuja (Saturday, the 20 th June 2026)

H.E. Ambassador Babagana Wakil, Chief of Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Muhammad Saidu Dahiru, High Commissioner-Designate to India

H.E. Dr. Shedu Dikko, Chairman, National Sports Commission,

Dr. Bukola Olopade, Director General, National Sports Commission

Excellencies, dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, members of the Indian community, distinguished guests, members of media, my dear students, ladies & gentlemen.

Namaste/Good morning to everyone, and a warm welcome to the celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga by the High Commission of India.

I feel honoured to stand before you today as we join millions of people globally to celebrate this universal movement for wellness, peace, and unity. We have a wonderful, diverse gathering here today as a global community united by the shared pursuit of wellness and harmony.

After the clarion given call by our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi United Nations General Assembly, recognizing Yoga’s universal appeal, declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on 11 December 2014. Yoga was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016.

The theme of International Day of Yoga this year is “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, which emphasizes the importance of Yoga for all ages and how yoga can benefit people to age with optimal health.

Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice. It is an invaluable gift to humankind from ancient Indian. The word "Yoga" originates from the Sanskrit root Yuj, meaning "to join" or "to unite." Therefore, Yoga embodies unison of mind, body and soul, harmony between human and nature, and a holistic approach to health and well-being.

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.

It is a secret superpower. It builds strong bodies and teaches us how to find calm when life gets loud. This ancient Indian practice today transcends borders, languages, cultures and serves as a universal language of peace and holistic well-being.

Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature. In the words of one of its most famous practitioners, the late B.K.S. Iyengar, “Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

I convey my heartfelt appreciation to the National Sports Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the officers and staff of the High Commission and the Velodrome, Indorama, African Industries Group, our community members and everyone for organizing this great event, and, above all, to all of you, the participants!

Today let’s practice yoga to connect with ourselves, to foster a sense of harmony and tranquillity that we can carry off the mat , into our daily lives. Thank you all for taking time out for this celebration of yoga.

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