Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, this year’s International Yoga Day (IYD) on 21st June, is set to go digital internationally. Announcing the decision, during a joint press conference along with Ministry of AYUSH in New Delhi, Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President, Indian Council for Cultural Relation (ICCR) said this year the event will highlight the utility of Yoga for individuals, to develop immunity to combat the global pandemic and strengthen the community in managing some of the significant aspects of this crisis.
This year the Ministry is encouraging people to practice Yoga at their homes with participation from the entire family. Dr. Sahasrabuddhe informed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon one and all to participate in the “My Life – My Yoga” Video Blogging Contest. He said that through this video blogging competition, the Ministry of AYUSH and ICCR seek to raise awareness about Yoga and to inspire people to prepare for and become active participants in the observation of IDY2020. All stakeholders like Yoga Institutes, Yoga Studios, Yoga Professionals are being sensitized about the blogging contest through their various platforms including print and electronic media.
SECRETARY MINISTRY OF AYUSH VAIDYA RAJESH KOTECHA SAID THAT THE CONTEST WILL CONTRIBUTE IN A MAJOR MANNER FOR RAISING GLOBAL AWARENESS ABOUT THE HEALING AND THERAPEUTIC POWERS, AND TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT THAT YOGA CAN HAVE IN THEIR LIVES.
The blogging contest has started on various digital platforms such as MyGov.gov.in and shall end on 15th June 2020, after which the jury shall collectively decide and announce the names of the winners. Entries for video competition can be submitted by participants under three categories covering youth (aged under 18 yrs), adults (above 18 years) and yoga professionals, and further, separately for male and female contestants. This makes it a total of six categories in all. For the India contestants, 1st, 2nd and 3rd awardees shall get a prize worth Rs.1 lakh, Rs. 50,000 and Rs.25,000 for each of the categories. While global prizes shall be for $2500, $1500 and $1000.
