Mauritius celebrates International Day of Yoga

To commemorate the International Day of Yoga 2026, observed annually on 21 June, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the High Commission of India, organised an official ceremony today at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.

The event was held in the presence of the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam.

The International Day of Yoga seeks to raise awareness of the physical, mental and spiritual benefits associated with the practice of yoga. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, highlights the role of yoga in promoting well-being throughout the ageing process. The half-day programme at Côte d’Or featured yoga demonstrations by certified instructors, as well as exhibitions showcasing AYUSH services. These activities helped to promote healthier lifestyles, wellness and mindfulness in everyday life.

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Mr Anil Kumar Bachoo; Ministers; Junior Ministers; Members of Parliament; the High Commissioner of the Republic of India to the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Anurag Srivastava; members of the Diplomatic Corps; and other personalities also attended the event.

In his speech, Prime Minister Ramgoolam underscored the contribution of yoga to achieving holistic well-being, encompassing not only physical health but also mental and emotional wellness. Referring to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the challenges posed by an ageing population, he emphasised the relevance of this year’s theme.

Speaking on the need for health and social systems to adapt to demographic changes, the Prime Minister highlighted that the Budget 2026–2027, presented last Friday, places significant emphasis on preventive healthcare. He stressed the importance of ensuring a good quality of life for all citizens and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to providing appropriate care and support services. He also referred to investments being made in geriatric wards across all public hospitals.

Moreover, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to highlight the enduring relationship between Mauritius and India, noting that the International Day of Yoga is an initiative of the Government of India. He recalled the strong cultural and historical ties that bind the two countries and underscored the importance of the various exchanges and India’s continued support for Mauritius’ development priorities.

In their respective addresses, both the Minister of Health and Wellness and the Indian High Commissioner emphasised the benefits of practising yoga for physical, mental and emotional well-being. According to Mr Bachoo, yoga not only complements efforts to address NCDs, which remain a major public health challenge, but also helps older persons remain independent, active and engaged within their families and communities for longer.

The initiatives being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to integrate yoga and AYUSH into the public health programmes and institutional reforms were outlined as well by Mr Bachoo. These include the conduct of weekly free yoga sessions in 71 community centres across the island by 18 yoga instructors recruited by the Ministry. He further mentioned the forthcoming establishment of an AYUSH Centre of Excellence at Côte d’Or which will provide services in Ayurveda and Yoga while serving as a hub for training, research, innovation and international collaboration.

For his part, the Indian High Commissioner highlighted the growing global adoption of yoga, emphasising its inclusive nature and its ability to bring people together across cultural, linguistic and national boundaries. He further noted that yoga contributes significantly to improving quality of life and is beneficial to people of all ages.

21 June 2026

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Topics: Health, Bilateral cooperation