The Peace Meditation Choir had the honour of performing arrangements of Sri Chinmoy’s songs dedicated to the UN and peace at a programme entitled “Yoga and the UN Culture of Peace.” The event was held at the United Nations in the prestigious Economic and Social Council Chamber the evening of 28 October 2016. Hosted by His Excellency Ambassador Durga Prasad Bhattarai, the Permanent Representative of Nepal to the UN, the event was webcast live, and the video is also available on the UN website. The choir opened the programme, after the Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal, Mr. Nirmal Raj Kafle, offered a few remarks on behalf of Ambassador Bhattarai, declaring that the wealth of yoga belongs to humanity in general.
The event served as a continuum to the UN International Day of Yoga, first proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech to the General Assembly in September 2014. The Assembly later unanimously adopted a resolution recognizing that “wider dissemination of information about the benefits of practising yoga would be beneficial for the health of the world population,” and declaring 21 June the International Day.
Ms. Nilima Silver, General Secretary of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations and UN Staff Member, was invited by the organizers to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.
On this occasion the Choir started with a poem by Sri Chinmoy, followed by several of his songs dedicated to peace and to the UN, with arrangements by members of the Choir.
Following the choir, the guest of honour, Yogmata Keiko Aikawa, gave the Keynote Address, which was followed by a panel discussion, with questions and answers.
Deputy Permanent Representative of Nepal, Mr. Nirmal Raj Kafle, offers a few remarks on behalf of Ambassador Bhattarai.
Panel discussion on Yoga and a Culture of Peace.
The audience participates in a guided meditation and visualization.
Background information on the International Day of Yoga
A/69/L.17 Draft Resolution – Day of Yoga and Co-Sponsors (2014-Nov-07)
A/69/L.17/Add.1 Added C0-Sponsors for Day of Yoga Draft Resolution (2014-Dec-11)
A/Res/69/131 International Day of Yoga Resolution (Adopted by UN General Assembly 2014-Dec-11)
Background to International Day of Yoga (excerpts from UNGA Meeting Record A/69/PV.69 and UN Press Release GA/11601)
Concise Summary version- timeline-backgound-as-of-2016 jpg image
