Twilight News Edition 270
Edition 270, 21 June 2022
INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY: DATE, HISTORY & SIGNIFICANCE
By Riyaa Palan
Every year, countries around the world celebrate ‘International Yoga Day’ on the 21st of June.
The idea for this event had first been proposed by Indian PM Narendra Modi in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of 2014. This initiative had been supported by 177 nations, the highest ever number of cosponsors for any UNGA Resolution of such nature.
The very next year, International Yoga Day became a global celebration on every 21st of June. This day marks the summer solstice (the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere) and holds special significance in various parts around the globe.
The first-ever Yoga Day saw 35,985 participants who included PM Modi and dignitaries from 84 nations. 21 asanas had been performed at New Delhi’s Rajpath, setting the record for the largest yoga class.
The UN believes that yoga can play an important role in promoting sustainable lifestyle in harmony with our planet Earth. “People around the world embraced yoga to stay healthy and rejuvenated and to fight social isolation and depression during the pandemic. Yoga is also playing a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of Covid-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. It is particularly helpful in allaying their fears and anxiety,” it reflected.
Today, over 180 countries are participating in the International Yoga Day to celebrate a movement that had first been started by our country, India.
FRANCIA MARQUEZ: COLOMBIA’S FIRST BLACK VICE PRESIDENT
By Riyaa Palan
Leadership sees no distinction in colour or race!
Francia Marquez, an environmentalist who also happened to be the running mate of the former leftist guerrilla Gustavo Petro in the Colombian elections, will create history through becoming the first black woman to take over as the Vice President of the country.
The newly elected Vice President came second to Petro with 783,000 votes in their coalition’s March primary and has won significant support based on her own merits.
The black community of Colombia has been majorly underrepresented in politics despite comprising nearly 9% of the population. Marquez, a single mother, has vowed to transform the lives of the black, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities in the country.
However, it is still unclear the amount of freedom that the 40-year-old might have to fulfill her promises to the people. Marquez, the receiver of the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2018, has also received death threats from illegal armed groups which only add to the challenges she will have to overcome.
Compiled and Edited by Saachi Mehra