J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and the President of World Health Assembly inaugurated a Photo-Exhibition on Yoga- “Yoga for All, Yoga for Health” on the sidelines of 68th World Health Assembly, at Geneva yesterday. Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization was also present at the event. At the photo-exhibition, Dr. Chan mentioned that she practices yoga regularly. Speaking at the occasion, the Health Minister said that we should encourage individuals and populations to make healthier choices and follow lifestyle patterns that foster good health. Shri J P Nadda expressed gratitude on 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 have co-sponsored this resolution. This is a testimony to the wide recognition and popularity Yoga has in the World, he added. The Health Minister also thanked Dr. Chan, Director General of WHO for adaptation of this resolution.
Shri Nadda informed 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 and invited Geneva based Missions of all countries to join the event to make it a huge success. The Minister held several bilateral meetings with countries on the sidelines of 68th World Health Assembly including USA, UK, the Netherlands and Sweden.