World Yoga Day: A Silent Revolution by Rev. Guru Dileepkumar Thankappan

World Yoga Day: A Silent Revolution

by Rev. Guru Dileepkumar Thankappan (Internationally known as “Guru Dileepji”)

The idea of World Yoga Day was endorsed by Yoga Gurus for the first time in 2011 at the Yoga: A Science for World Peace Conference in Bengaluru. The Yoga Gurus who attended met with the Hon. Indian Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi Ji and presented this endorsement, requesting the proposal and adoption of a Resolution at the United Nations for World Yoga Day. My heart was overjoyed when the proposal was, in fact, first introduced by the Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji in his address, on September 27, 2014, during the opening of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He stated: “Yoga is an invaluable gift from our ancient tradition. Yoga embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action ... a holistic approach [that] is valuable to our health and our well-being. Yoga is not just about exercise; it is a way to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.”

Thereafter, on December 11, 2014, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Hon. Ambassador Ashok Mukherji, introduced the draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly. The Resolution was endorsed by a record 177 member states. That same day, due to this overwhelming majority, the UN General Secretary officially declared June 21st as the International Day of Yoga. What a dream come true! All the energy, effort, time and support was finally realized! The Resolution notes “the importance of individuals and populations

making healthier choices and following lifestyle patterns that foster good health.” In addition, the World Health Organization also urges member states to help their citizens reduce physical inactivity, which is among the top ten leading causes of death worldwide and a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.

Worldwide events including yoga classes, yoga practice sessions, lectures and seminars were conducted in different parts of the world to honor and celebrate the first International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2015. The official recognition by the United Nations creates the opportunity for Yoga to further flourish and reach humanity as a whole, ultimately establishing peace and harmony worldwide. I am honored to be the carrier of Swami Bua Ji’s conch shell and to sound it at the start of these events, thereby, keeping his memory and the essence of all our venerated yoga masters alive. Many of my friends in the UN group have joined together as we celebrate the designated International Day of Yoga from various faith backgrounds and are continuing to build a closer community. We have strengthened this movement much more than I had originally hoped! In 2015, Yoga Master George Veiga e Castro (currently known as “Amrta Suryananda Maha Raja”), received the “Padma Shri”, the fourth highest Indian civilian award. Since 2015, yoga masters have been receiving national awards in India. This national recognition makes me so proud of my many friends and colleagues. In 2017, the Government of India established the “Prime Minister’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution towards the Development and Promotion of Yoga”, further fortifying the global movement of yoga and paying tribute to those deserving this high honor.

In my sincere efforts to expand the awareness of the International Day of Yoga, I began taking action to bring the global to the local. As per my request, New York State Assemblyman Hon. Dr. Nader J. Sayegh and New York State Senator Hon. Kevin Thomas, filed a resolution marking “Yoga Day” at the New York State Assembly and Senate, respectively. Nine Assembly Members from New York State cosponsored the motion along with Assemblyman Hon. Nader Sayegh. This acknowledges the widespread popularity of yoga, here, in the Empire State. Finally, on May 17, 2022, the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly adopted the resolution (Senate No. 2561 and Assembly No. 916), ultimately prompting the New York State Governor Hon. Kathleen C. Hochul to officially proclaim June 21, 2022, as “YOGA DAY” in the State of New York, United States of America! I appreciate how New York State Assemblyman Hon. Dr. Nader Sayegh and New York State Senator Hon. Kevin Thomas spent a considerable amount of time and effort in reviewing my proposal in addition to implementing this resolution, making the groundbreaking “YOGA DAY” Proclamation a reality. My many friends and colleagues, including those in the UN community, have gathered in celebration and assurance of more to come.

Rev. Guru Dileepkumar Thankappan organized the 29th Annual World Yoga Festival & the 8th International Day of Yoga Celebration, which began on June 1st and ended on June 30th, 2022. On June 24, 2022, he founded and initiated the first “World Yogasana Sports Championship” via Zoom with US Congresswomen Hon. Carolyn B. Maloney inaugurating the event. Currently, he is working with elected officials to create a bill at the US Congress & Senate for supporting all aspects of yoga in the USA. As a life-long practitioner of yoga, Guru Dileepji believes that Yoga is a universal knowledge which should be practiced by all people without any discrimination, worldwide and beyond. Thousands of yoga masters and sages gave up their lives for the promotion of yoga throughout the centuries. We should pay tribute and honor these great souls eternally.