Kathmandu, June 21 : The10th International Day of Yoga is being marked today with the theme “Yoga for Self and Society.” The government has formed the Yoga Day Main Celebration Committee chaired by Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha.    

The Committee is organizing a special programme at the SOS Children's Village at Sanothimi in Bhaktapur to mark the occasion. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will attend the programme as the Chief Guest, according to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.    

Government high officials, representatives of diplomatic missions and yoga practitioners will participate in the programme. Prior to the main programme, a morning procession will be organized and it will go through Pepsicola, Gaththaghar, Lokanthali and Madhyapur Thimi Chowk and converge at the Children's Village, said Keshav Dahal, the spokesperson for the Ministry.    

A meeting of the Main Committee on June 12 selected the theme 'Yoga for Women Empowerment' for Nepal. The same meeting had decided to dispatch letters to the province and local levels for celebrating the Yoga Day and through all the Education Development and Coordination Units request the schools for the same.

The United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 2014 passed a resolution to celebrate the International Day of Yoga on June 21 every year. International Day of Yoga started to be marked since June 21, 2015. The Government of India had presented a proposal on this in the UN General Assembly.    

The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.    

Yoga, a transformative practice, represents the harmony of mind and body, the balance between thought and action, and the unity of restraint and fulfillment. It integrates the body, mind, spirit, and soul, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being that brings peace to our hectic lives. Its power to transform is what we celebrate on this special day.