As a demonstration of yoga’s growing global popularity, the Indian High Commission in Nicosia, along with the United Nations Peace Army (UNFICYP) in Cyprus, participated in a program before the 11th International Yoga Day (IDY) 2025, which was the theme ‘One Earth, Yoga for a Health’. The event was held at the UNFICYP headquarters Hangar in Nicosia, which confirmed the relevance of yoga not only as a health practice but also as a bridge of peace and diplomacy. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries, including India’s High Commissioner Manish and acting force commander Colonel Patrick Andrew Alan, OBE, who also served as Chief of Staff.
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Indian Army Officer Major Dharampal Singh, posted at UNFICYP, played an important role in coordination of the program. He facilitated uninterrupted communication between the High Commission and UNFICYP and managed operations. The High Commissioner said that yoga is the eternal gift of India for humanity – to unite the body, mind and soul. Adopting it by the international peace establishment community is a reflection of the global relevance of yoga in promoting physical health and mental harmony even in high pressure environment. The program underlined a deep message: Integration of yoga in the field of peace to promote mental flexibility, stress management, physical fitness and internal balance – the important qualities for the health of personnel deployed in the areas of conflict and conflict. Colonel Alan said that physical and mental demands on our personnel are unique. The inclusion of yoga in the daily routine has the ability to strengthen both morale and readiness of the mission.
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UNFICYP’s Lauren McLister and Lieutenant Petra Vitazova appreciated the initiative and said that the program provided a meaningful opportunity to peace soldiers from various backgrounds to join through mindyfulness and shared experience of physical activity. He emphasized that such programs are required to increase mental clarity and team harmony in demanding operational environment. The program also included live yoga performance under the leadership of a certified instructor of Cyprus’s Professional Yoga Association (YPA), as well as peaceful soldiers and mission employees.