KATHMANDU: The 10th International Day of Yoga is being observed today with the theme "Yoga for Self and Society." The government, keeping this event in view, has constituted the Yoga Day Main Celebration Committee under Minister for Education, Science and Technology Sumana Shrestha.

The committee has arranged a special program at SOS Children's Village in Sanothimi, Bhaktapur. According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' will attend the function as the Chief Guest. The program will also witness the presence of high-ranking government officials, representatives from the diplomatic missions, and yoga practitioners. They have planned a morning procession to precede the event, starting from Pepsicola, bypassing Gaththaghar and Lokanthali, stopping for some time at Madhyapur Thimi Chowk, and proceeding toward the Children's Village, according to Ministry's spokesperson Keshav Dahal.

The theme 'Yoga for Women Empowerment' was adopted for Nepal during the meeting of the Main Committee on 12 June. It has also been decided that the provincial and local levels will dispatch letters to urge the celebration of Yoga Day through all Education Development and Coordination Units by writing letters to the schools to encourage participation.

The United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. The first celebration was held on June 21, 2015. This program was led by the Government of India and introduced to the UN General Assembly. It seeks to raise global awareness about the manifold benefits exercisable from the regular practice of yoga.

Yoga is a transformational practice that symbolizes the harmonization of body and mind, balance between thought and action, and unity between restraint and fulfillment. It opposes the dualism between body, mind, spirit, and soul and puts them together into one wholesome approach toward health and wellness.