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Time of India
21-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Nearly one in every four persons in India incorporating yoga, reveals Ayush ministry survey
National Cadet Corps cadets practice Yoga ahead of International Day of Yoga in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) NEW DELHI: India has been holding yoga events every year on June 21 since 2014, when UN adopted India's resolution to mark the day as International Day of Yoga (IDY). Celebrating IDY was first proposed by PM Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Highlighting yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - June 21 - as the appropriate day for the purpose. With 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, with IDY being first celebrated in 2015. A survey commissioned by Ministry of Ayush has found that this exercise has led to nearly one in every four persons in India incorporating yoga - which includes asana sequences, breath control exercises and meditation - into their lifestyle. While 11% of the respondents - 30,084 people from across the country - said they practise yoga daily, 13% said they do it sometimes. However, 75% of people still don't practise yoga. To encourage such people, the survey report suggests complementing high-visibility flagship events such as IDY with grassroots mobilisation, digital platforms, and institutional partnerships. One of the moves by govt in this direction is a plan to upgrade existing parks in various panchayats (rural) and municipalities (urban) into Yoga parks where people can practise yoga every day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The Ayush ministry report also calls for embedding yoga instruction within school and university wellness programmes to foster early habit formation among young adults (18-24 years). The middle-aged groups can benefit from flexible work arrangements and digital access, which offer opportunities to scale virtual and office-based yoga interventions and convert occasional participants into consistent practitioners, the researchers suggest. They highlighted that nearly 17% of the elderly - the highest of any age group - practise yoga regularly. "The elderly people recognise the benefits of yoga, but they face barriers in including the practice in their daily lives. To address this, senior citizens-focused modules-such as chair-based asanas, balance exercises, and guided breathwork- should be delivered through community health centres and assisted-living facilities, ensuring that older adults can safely and confidently integrate yoga into their daily routines," said Raghvendra Rao, director of Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN). He also stressed the need for more yoga trainers and accessibility to yoga classes, offline or through digital mode. Subhash Giri, professor of medicine at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital, stressed that yoga provides numerous physical, mental, emotional, and long-term health benefits. Saima Wazed, regional director of WHO Southeast Asia said: "The benefits of yoga are well-documented. Studies have shown that 77% of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly; 82% of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50% reduction in symptoms after just six weeks of daily yoga. A study by Harvard Medical School found 60% of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks".
Economic Times
20-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
Synopsis Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, highlights yoga's role in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility on International Day of Yoga. She emphasizes that yoga fosters mindful consumption and respect for nature, reducing our ecological impact. Studies reveal yoga's benefits, including increased strength, reduced inflammation, and improved mental health, reinforcing its holistic value for individuals and the planet. In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga. ADVERTISEMENT "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on Friday. The International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she said. It was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added. ADVERTISEMENT "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated."In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said. ADVERTISEMENT Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed benefits of yoga are well-documented, she said. ADVERTISEMENT Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added. A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said. PTI (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, highlights yoga's role in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility on International Day of Yoga. She emphasizes that yoga fosters mindful consumption and respect for nature, reducing our ecological impact. Studies reveal yoga's benefits, including increased strength, reduced inflammation, and improved mental health, reinforcing its holistic value for individuals and the planet. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a world facing environmental challenges , yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added."Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated."In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed benefits of yoga are well-documented, she have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added.A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said. PTI
Ya Libnan
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Time for Putin to Adopt Trump's Ukraine Ceasefire Plan
Throughout his long political career, the Russian president has been accused of countless atrocities. The former KGB chief Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and should be treated as such, former US President Joe Biden was quoted as saying in February , 2022 . Russia was kicked out of the UN Human Rights Council as members voted 93-24 in favor during the United Nations General Assembly. Biden said the vote marks a meaningful step by the international community, further demonstrating how Putin has made Russia an 'international pariah.' By : YaLibnan Editorial Board It's 2025—not 1945. Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin still clings to a bygone era of perceived Soviet glory while presiding over one of the most disastrous military campaigns in modern history. His invasion of Ukraine has not only failed to achieve its objectives but has left Russia humiliated, isolated, and increasingly dependent on pariah states and foreign mercenaries. Russia's human cost has been staggering. Independent estimates suggest that well over 300,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of families across Russia are burying young men who died for a war they never chose. Morale among troops is at a breaking point, and forced conscriptions have triggered protests and mass emigration. To sustain this faltering campaign, Putin is now leaning on foreign fighters and military support from regimes with little regard for international norms. North Korean artillery shells are arriving at the front lines. Chinese drones are quietly reshaping battlefield tactics. Fighters from Syria, and reports of assistance from Vietnam, have further exposed the Kremlin's desperation. What kind of great power needs mercenaries from four continents to fight its neighbor? Putin's latest move—a unilateral three-day ceasefire to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II—is a hollow gesture, meant more for optics than peace. Ukrainian officials have rightfully dismissed it, calling instead for a serious and lasting truce based on the plan proposed by the United States and supported by President Donald Trump. President Trump has made it clear: he wants a permanent ceasefire and a roadmap toward a peaceful resolution. 'President Trump has been very clear he wants a permanent ceasefire and to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution,' said U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes on Monday. And yet, Putin resists. Why? Because acknowledging the Trump plan would mean admitting what the world already knows—his war has failed. Russia, once seen as a formidable global power, now begs for ammunition and manpower from Tehran, Pyongyang, and beyond. This is not a strength; it is a strategic and moral collapse. Putin's symbolic ceasefire to celebrate a war from 80 years ago does nothing to stop the bloodshed today. If he truly wants to honor the spirit of peace and victory, he should take a bold step toward the future, not retreat into the past. The path forward is clear: adopt the Trump ceasefire plan and end this war with dignity. Russia's future—and its place in the world—depends on it.
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Why China Is Wary of a Trump-Xi Summit
In Washington, President Trump has said he is willing to meet with Xi Jinping, China's top leader. In Beijing, Chinese officials and experts agree that a meeting between the heads of state must precede any broad reset of relations with the United States amid Mr. Trump's aggressive approach to trade and foreign policy. But arranging a meeting is already proving slow and difficult. Senator Steve Daines, Republican of Montana, who came to Beijing this month as an informal representative of Mr. Trump, said one of the main goals for his trip was to lay the groundwork for a presidential summit. After meeting China's vice premier for economic policy, He Lifeng, Mr. Daines said in an interview that he believed a summit would be held by the end of the year — a slower pace than many in Washington had expected. On the Chinese side, Communist Party officials and government advisers said in interviews over the past week that they were taken aback by Mr. Trump's rapid-fire moves on tariffs, Greenland, Ukraine and other issues. They have been startled by his hostile treatment in public of foreign leaders like President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. As a result, they are cautious about scheduling a summit. Tensions between Beijing and Washington could worsen this week, when a new set of Mr. Trump's tariffs is set to take effect in a potentially broad limit on trade. Chinese officials are reluctant to schedule a summit until the two sides have negotiated details in advance, including a deal between the two countries that would endure for the rest of Mr. Trump's term. The Trump administration has not yet specified what an acceptable deal might be. 'The Chinese side believes the Trump administration has not really figured out what is the way to deal with China and make a deal,' Wu Xinbo, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said on Friday. 'The Chinese side would like to wait for a more constructive and sensible signal from the administration,' said Mr. Wu, who was part of an unofficial delegation of retired senior Chinese officials and academic advisers who met with American officials and experts last month in the United States. Two other Chinese experts familiar with discussions between the United States and China mentioned the possibility of the two leaders meeting in New York City around the time of the United Nations General Assembly in September. But it remains unclear whether their governments can make enough progress by then, said the experts, who were not authorized to comment. In a faxed reply to questions about the possible timing of a summit, the spokesperson's office at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had 'no information to release at this time.' Mr. He held a video call on Wednesday with Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative. Mr. He expressed concern about Mr. Trump's imposition of two rounds of 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods so far this year, according to a Chinese statement after the meeting. China has already retaliated against Mr. Trump's initial tariffs on Chinese goods by imposing extra tariffs on imports of American fossil fuels and agricultural products. Senator Daines's trip was only the second congressional visit to China in more than five years. While members of Congress usually travel in groups to foreign countries, no other senators or representatives chose to accompany Mr. Daines to Beijing. Beijing has not rewarded the American side for Mr. Daines's outreach. In an unannounced move on March 16, China, the world's largest importer of beef, halted practically all imports of American beef. It had previously been buying $1 billion a year of American beef, much of it from Mr. Daines's state. Beijing granted five-year licenses in March 2020 to several hundred American slaughterhouses to export beef to China. That came after years of intermittent interruptions in shipments because of trade frictions and China's purported concerns over mad cow disease in the United States, although international animal health experts found the beef to be safe. China's own beef industry has also long opposed imports. The recent expiration of the export licenses has in effect closed the Chinese market, with shipments plummeting to 54 tons in the week after the licenses expired, from about 2,000 tons a week. Beijing's decision not to renew the slaughterhouse licenses put pressure on Mr. Daines. 'The effects of this decision on U.S. ranchers can hardly be overstated, which is why I raised this issue directly with Vice Premier He Lifeng,' Mr. Daines said, adding that he was 'calling on China to reverse this decision.' The spokesperson's office at China's foreign ministry said that it was 'not aware' of the slaughterhouse license dispute.
