Will the Minister of AYURVEDA, YOGA AND NATUROPATHY, UNANI, SIDDHA AND HOMOEOPATHY (AYUSH) be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has assessed the response received from the various countries on the International Yoga Day, and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the Islamic countries which participated in the Yoga on International Yoga Day;
(c) whether Surya Namaskar was removed from the International Yoga Day; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
(a): Yes. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has intimated that as per the reports received from Indian Missions abroad, International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebration on 21st June 2015 received positive response. The activities carried out in various countries included Lectures, Demonstrations and Mass Yoga Practice based on Common Yoga Protocol; meetings with Yoga clubs and community organizations; Yoga concerts; Yogathons; Yoga walks; screening of films/ documentaries and photographic exhibitions on Yoga.
(b): As per inputs received from the Ministry of External Affairs, all 193 member countries of the United Nations (except Yemen) participated in the celebration of the first International Day of Yoga.
(c) & (d): The Expert Committee constituted for the IDY celebration did not recommend inclusion of Surya Namaskar in the Common Yoga Protocol for IDY. The question, therefore, of removal of Surya Namaskar from International Day of Yoga does not arise.