International Day of Yoga 2019 – Prime Minister's Awards
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi participating in the mass yoga demonstration at the Capitol Complex, Chandigarh, on the occasion of the 2nd International Day of Yoga – 2016, on June 21, 2016 - CNR: 83534
Bihar School of Yoga, Swami Rajrishi Muni, Japan Yoga Niketan and Antonietta Rozzi to receive the Prime Minister of India’s award for outstanding contribution for the promotion and development of Yoga.
In anticipation of International Yoga Day 2019, The Bihar School of Yoga (India), Swami Rajarshi Muni of Life Mission (India) , Japan Yoga Niketan (Japan) and Antonietta Rozzi (Italy) will receive the Prime Minister of India’s award for outstanding contribution for the promotion and development of Yoga. The winners will be given a Trophy, certificate together with a 25 lakh rupee – approx. US 36,000$ – cash award.
On the 2nd International Day of Yoga celebrations in 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the institution of awards for the promotion and development of Yoga, which he considers a pillar of Indian culture. “Yoga has the potential to herald in a new era of peace, compassion, brotherhood and all-around progress of the human race” said Modi.
The Ministry of AYUSH – The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy – considered 79 applications as well as the committee’s own inputs.
"After considering all relevant facts and other inputs, the jury recommended that the award for the current year be given to Swami Rajarshi Muni of Life Mission, Gujarat (in the category Individual - National), Antonietta Rozzi of Italy (in the category Individual - International), Bihar School of Yoga, Munger, (in the category Organisation - National) and Japan Yoga Niketan, Japan, (in the category Organisation - International)," the statement said.
The Bihar School of Yoga
The Bihar School of Yoga was founded in 1964 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in Munger. The techniques developed are a combination of personal development methods based on traditional vedantic, tantric and yogic teachings synthesized with contemporary physical and mental health sciences.
The Institution has affiliates in various parts of the world, that disseminate its teachings. Asana, pranayama, meditaion, yoga nidra, philosophy, selfless action, and self study are a some of the practices taught.
The Bihar School of Yoga also participates in yoga projects and medical research in association with prominent hospitals and organisations worldwide, through its affiliate “The Yoga Research Foundation.”
Ongoing projects encompass fundamental, clinical and applied research in locations worldwide, including the effects of yoga practice in the defence services, prisons and schools.
Programs created by the Bihar School of Yoga are also being run in the corporate sector, including both private and public sector industries such as Indian Oil Corporation, Coal India Limited, National Thermal Power Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the Steel Authority of India, Hindusthan Paper Corporation, Hindusthan Copper Corporation and many more.
The “Yoga Publications Trust” editorial of the Bihar School of Yoga has published over 300 books on Yogic sciences including bestsellers “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha” – found in almost all yoga centres worldwide – and “Prana Pranayama”, “Meditations from the Tantras”, “A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya”, “Kundalini Tantra” and “Yogic management of common diseases”
Swami Rajashri Muni
Swami Rajrishi Muni founded the Lakulish International Fellowship’s Enlightenment Mission (Life Mission).
The institution’s aims are “to conduct a worldwide campaign for spiritual and cultural awakening”, “To promote and propagate the knowledge and practice of the ancient science of yoga”, “To help direct minds of people towards cultural, moral, ethical and spiritual values” and “To serve humanity through selfless service without discrimination based on race, religion, nationality, caste or gender.”
The Misson has published 24 books, including “Awakening the life force”, “Classical Hatha Yoga” and “Divine body through yoga”.
Japan Yoga Niketan
Japan Yoga Niketan established in 1980 is closely related to Yoga Niketan Rishikesh, which is part of Rishikesh’s oldest ashram. The centre which teaches Raja yoga and yoga therapy was established by yogaacharya Keishin Kimura for the purpose of conveying traditional yoga in Japan.
Its yogic education is based on the ancient Upanishads and Patanjali’s yoga sutras. The centre works in association with S-VYASA Yoga University, Bengaluru.
Antonietta Rozzi
Antonietta Rozzi is the Honorary President of Sarva Yoga International. She was appointed for the implementation of the program of global health through yoga by both the World Health Organization and by the Indian Government member of the International Commission of experts.
The UN resolution for world yoga day, is the inclusion of Yoga by the World Health Organization (WHO), among the tools to improve global health. The action plan describes different types of physical activities that the WHO and Member states can promote, of which one is Yoga. 15 International experts were selected to oversee the global project oh which Rozzi is the only Western member.
