H R Nagendra,yoga guru to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,will headline International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at Times Square,New York on June 21. Organized by the Consulate General of India in New York,this event's expected to draw participants worldwide.
Before this,Nagendra will kick off a yoga and wellness retreat in Monticello,New York from June 12 to 14 . The retreat features yoga sessions,meditation,and lectures on stress management and holistic wellness. Community leaders and wellness pros will lead discussions.
Nagendra called it an honor to join the Times Square event,invited by the Consulate General of India. He stressed yoga's value as India's gift to the world,noting its global recognition grew thanks to Modi's push at the United Nations,establishing June 21 as International Day of Yoga.
Born January 1, 1943,in Karnataka,Nagendra's got a mechanical engineering degree and a PhD from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru . Started his academic career at IISc in 1968,worked there till 1975. Did post-doctoral work at University of British Columbia,also at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Consulted for Harvard University’s Engineering Sciences Lab in early '70s.
Spent some time in London at Imperial College as visiting faculty,then returned to India,resumed role at IISc for two years. In 1975,joined Vivekananda Kendra,spent 25 years in its activities. Held leadership posts,including national secretary of Yoga Shiksha Vibhag,then national vice president.
In 2000,he became president of Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana,helping establish it as a society. Later became founding vice chancellor when it started academic programs in 2002. Recognized as a deemed university by University Grants Commission,Nagendra served as vice chancellor till 2013,stayed on as chancellor.
This year's International Day of Yoga theme: “Yoga for Healthy Aging.” Promotes yoga as path to longer life,preventive healthcare. UN General Assembly declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. First celebrated in 2015. Millions worldwide have joined this annual event since…
