CHICAGO: The 12th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with enthusiasm and community spirit in Chicago through a collaborative initiative involving the Federation of Indian Associations (FIA-Chicago), Indian Community Network Team (ICNT), United Senior Pariwar, and Hanuman Mandir, in partnership with the Consulate General of India.
Despite persistent rain, around 100 community members, organisational leaders and distinguished guests attended the event, highlighting the growing importance of Yoga as a global movement that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
The programme brought together representatives from several Indian-American organisations and community leaders to commemorate an ancient practice that has become a worldwide symbol of physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
The event was attended by Deputy Consul General Sanjeev Pal, ICNT President Rohit Joshi, United Senior Pariwar President Ramesh Choksi, representatives from Hanuman Mandir and FIA-Chicago President Hemant Patel. Several prominent community members, including Virendra Patel, Jagdish Hingu, Pramod Joshi, Sanjay Vora, Smitesh Shah, Bhanubhai Vyas, Usha Kamaria, Kruti Pandya, Anil Singh, Arvind Ankleshwaria, Joy (Dipen) Shah, Bhavesh Patel and Satheesan Nair, also participated in the celebration.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by ICNT President Rohit Joshi, who greeted attendees and honoured the guests present at the event. He emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting Indian traditions among overseas communities while encouraging people of all age groups to incorporate Yoga into their daily routines.
A special Yoga session was conducted by Jignesh Dixit and his team of instructors from Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS). Participants engaged in various Yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation techniques designed to improve overall physical and mental health.
Deputy Consul General Sanjeev Pal addressed the gathering and spoke about the significance of Yoga in modern society. He highlighted its ability to improve health, reduce stress and create balance in an increasingly fast-paced world. He also reiterated that Yoga serves as a universal language of wellness that continues to unite people across different countries and cultures.
Yoga is Bharat’s Greatest Contribution:
One of the key messages of the event came from FIA-Chicago President Hemant Patel, who also serves as the founder of ShreeSanatan Sewa Foundation. During his address, Hemant Patel described Yoga as one of Bharat’s greatest contributions to humanity.
He stated that, alongside Ayurveda, the concept of Zero, Pi, radio waves and trigonometry, Yoga represents a profound intellectual and spiritual gift originating from India’s ancient traditions. Patel said it is important to acknowledge Yoga’s historical roots and recognise that it was developed by Hindu sages for the betterment of mankind.
He further stressed that acknowledging historical facts should not be viewed through a political or ideological lens.
According to Patel, people should take pride in this rich cultural inheritance rather than downplay its origins. He remarked that secularism should not mean suppressing or distorting historical truths, but instead respecting and presenting them accurately.
Sharing his personal experience, Patel said he has practiced Yoga almost every day since he was ten years old. He credited the discipline with positively impacting multiple aspects of his life, including physical fitness, mental clarity and overall well-being.
He encouraged people to move beyond symbolic observances and make Yoga a daily practice rather than limiting participation to annual celebrations.
The event also highlighted India’s role in taking Yoga to the global stage. Organisers acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts over a decade ago in championing the idea of an International Day of Yoga at the United Nations.
Since then, Yoga has grown into a worldwide movement, with millions of people across continents embracing its benefits.
Speakers at the event emphasised that Yoga is far more than a form of physical exercise. They described it as a holistic science that harmoniously integrates the mind, body, breath, soul and spirituality to create overall balance and inner peace.
Another important takeaway from the celebration was the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the participating organisations.
Organisers collectively conveyed that community organisations should prioritise collaboration over competition. By working together toward shared goals, they can strengthen community bonds and create larger positive impacts.
The successful joint effort between FIA-Chicago, ICNT, United Senior Pariwar and Hanuman Mandir was presented as a model that other organisations could emulate.
Despite challenging weather conditions, the strong attendance reflected the growing appreciation for Yoga among the Indian diaspora and the broader community. The celebration ultimately reinforced the message that Yoga is not merely an ancient tradition but a timeless practice capable of promoting health, unity and harmony in today’s world.
