Indian Embassy Marks 12th International Day of Yoga with over 2,200 Participants in Kuwait

KUWAIT CITY, June 20: More than 2,200 yoga enthusiasts gathered at Boulevard Stadium on Saturday to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026, highlighting the growing popularity of yoga and wellness practices in Kuwait. Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Her Excellency Paramita Tripathi, said this year's theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” underscores the importance of yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being and emotional balance across all age groups. The celebration brought together diplomats, government officials, yoga practitioners, members of the Indian community and wellness advocates in a display of the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Kuwai.

The Indian Envoy, HE. Paramita Tripathi in her message, stated 

Namaskar, Good Morning, Sabah Al Khair

Dear Excellency, Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwait Yoga Committee;

My esteemed colleague, Her Excellency Ms. Lena Maryana, Ambassador of Indonesia & Dean of the Asian Ambassadors Group Dr. Ameera Al-Hassan, Head of UN-Habitat Mission in Kuwait and GCC Regional Office

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of the Government of Kuwait, Yoga Practitioners and enthusiasts, friends of India, and dear members of the Indian Community in Kuwait.

A very warm welcome to all of you.

It is a great pleasure to see such an enthusiastic gathering here this morning to observe the 12th International Day of Yoga. I thank each one of you for joining us today. I am also glad to welcome Padma Shri Ms Nouf Al-Marwaii, founder of the Arab Yoga Foundation in Saudi Arabia and President of the Asian Yogasana Sports Federation.

Rooted in ancient Indian wisdom, yoga transcends the boundaries of nationality, culture, religion, and language. The universal appeal of yoga is reflected in the global support for the United Nations resolution that established the International Day of Yoga in 2014.

This year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," highlights the relevance of yoga in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, emotional balance, and a better quality of life for all ages.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am particularly touched by the growing popularity of yoga in Kuwait. I wish to highlight the pioneering role of Her Excellency Sheikha Sheikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the founder of Dar Atma, Kuwait’s first licensed yoga studio established in 2014. This formal recognition given by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on December 4, 2014, was indeed a milestone for yoga in Kuwait.

In 2025, she became the first Kuwaiti national to receive India's Padma Shri award for her contributions to yoga. Last year, the General Assembly of the World Yoga Federation approved the appointment of Sheikha Sheikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, President of the Kuwaiti Yoga Committee, as its president, reflecting Kuwait’s leadership in supporting and developing yoga globally. As India and Kuwait continue to deepen our Strategic Partnership and people-to-people connections, yoga serves as a beautiful bridge that brings our communities together.

This year’s celebrations of the International Day of Yoga, or IDY, in Kuwait have been truly widespread and inclusive. Our journey began with an All-Women Wellness Gathering at India House, at which many of you participated. Over the past few weeks, the Indian community in Kuwait, together with our partners and yoga enthusiasts, organised more than 40 curtain-raiser yoga events across schools, community centres, corporate venues, project sites, public spaces, educational institutions, and workplaces throughout Kuwait. You can see glimpses of these events on the LED Screens today.

Yoga is not limited to the IDY - the Embassy, in collaboration with the Center of India Studies, hosts morning yoga sessions on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year, which even continued virtually during the recent regional security situation. You are welcome to join this session anytime.

Before I conclude, I congratulate the participants of the Yoga Posture contest and the Yoga painting competition – I must appreciate the huge talent that we have in Kuwait.

I express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Kuwait, the Kuwait Yoga Committee, the Marafie Family and the Al Tijaria Group and Her Excellency Sheikha Sheikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

I also place on record my sincere appreciation for the remarkable efforts of the Indian community organisations, yoga institutions, volunteers, sponsors, and wellness advocates whose enthusiasm and dedication made the IDY activities a resounding success.

Thanks to our sponsors, ICAI- Kuwait Chapter, STC Group, STACK Group, Lulu Group, The Indian Heritage, Amaron, DU Digital, KDD, and KITCO.

I thank the dear members of the Indian community in Kuwait for your continuous support, and for the hard work and tireless efforts of my colleagues at the Embassy to make this a memorable IDY.

Last but not least, I have three points to highlight:

    i.        First, I am happy to share with you that the Embassy will launch an AYUSH Forum, which will bring together yoga enthusiasts, ayurveda and traditional medicine experts.

   ii.        Second, I am delighted to announce that the Embassy is launching Indian Film Thursdays from 25 June 2026 to be held at the Embassy Auditorium. The first film will be 83, which is on Kapil Dev and the World Cup Final that India won in 1983. We will bring you a bit of cricket in the midst of FIFA fever. We look forward to welcoming all movie-lovers from across Kuwait every Thursday at the Embassy. Watch out for the announcements for registration on our social media.

 iii.        Third is a request to follow and subscribe to our social media accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

I am happy to say that the gathering at this iconic venue today, with more than 2,200 yoga enthusiasts, reflects the tremendous enthusiasm and commitment of people in Kuwait for yoga and for healthy living.

Once again, thank you all for being here, and wishing everyone a very Happy International Day of Yoga.

I will not stand between you and yoga anymore.

Namaskar, Shukran, thank you.