At least a dozen Nepali celebrities from various walks of lives have joined hands with the Indian embassy in Kathmandu to celebrate the International Day of Yoga slated for June 21.
Noted actress Namrata Shrestha, gearing up to take part in the Indian initiative, said: "If you have not tried it yet, it isn't too late. Start practising now and grow healthy inside out!"
The embassy said that over 800 people will take part in the event in Kathmandu on June 21 when various yoga asanas will be showcased.
"We all will have to die some day but before that yoga guides us to the right way of living," said veteran comedian Madan Krishna Shrestha in his message for the day.
The embassy said that several events will be held ahead of the day, including essay writing and drawing competitions.
A souvenir on yoga, "Yoga Sandesh", is being published by the mission incorporating articles on yoga written by yoga scholars as well as the five best essays and five best drawings chosen from the essay and drawing competitions.
In addition, the Indian consulate in Birgunj and the Indian field office in Biratnagar will also host programmes on the occasion.
Yoga Day programmes are also being organised at Pokhara, Bhairahwa, Lumbini and other places in Nepal, said the embassy.
Eminent actor and veteran dancer Mithila Sharma says: "Even the western dance forms such as B-boying and contemporary incorporate many yoga postures. Yoga offers goodness endlessly for all age groups."
The mission said it has also encouraged various yoga organisations of Nepal such as Patanjali Yoga Ashram, Manokranti Yoga Center, Aurobindo Yoga Ashram, and several Indo-Nepali friendship organisations to organise various programmes at different places in Nepal.
Banker Anil Shah, actor Richa Sharma, 2012 CNN Hero of the year Pushpa Basnet, model Astha Pokhrel, actor Nisha Adhikari, model Mala Limbu, actor and meditation practitioner Jharana Bajracharya, captain of the Nepali national cricket team Paras Khadka and veteran actor Haribansha Acharya have joined hands with the Indian embassy here to make the event a success.
(Anil Giri can be contacted at girianil@gmail.com)
