The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday has declared the commencement of the second edition of the Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman. The Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman 2023 will recognize and award thirty-three individuals or organizations in the fields of Print, Television, and Radio. The awards will be presented in twenty-two different Indian languages, along with English, across three categories.
- 11 Sammans in 22 Indian languages and English – to be conferred under the category “Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Newspaper”
- 11 Sammans in 22 Indian languages and English – to be conferred under the category “Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Electronic Media (TV)”
- 11 Sammans in 22 Indian languages and English – to be conferred under the category “Best Media Coverage in Yoga in Electronic Media (Radio)”
During the announcement of the awards for the year 2023, Union Minister Anurag Thakur emphasized the impact of the International Day of Yoga, which takes place annually on June 21. He acknowledged that this day has sparked a global movement to promote health and well-being.
.@MIB_India announces Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman
33 Awards to recognize contribution of Media in spreading message of #Yoga
Samman commends the instrumental role that the media plays in disseminating the outreach of yoga, both within India and abroad: Union Minister…
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 9, 2023
Thakur further highlighted the universal appeal of Yoga, transcending boundaries and captivating millions worldwide. Its comprehensive approach to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being has generated significant interest, turning it into a global phenomenon. The media has played a crucial role in spreading awareness and showcasing the transformative potential of Yoga, contributing to its success. In recognition of this contribution, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has decided to organize the second edition of the Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman this year.
He added that the Samman commends the instrumental role that the media plays in disseminating the outreach of yoga, both within India and abroad. As the International Day of Yoga is celebrated, it is important to acknowledge the media’s immense power and responsibility in promoting this ancient practice and its multitude of benefits.
He also said that the media has been a catalyst in fostering understanding, appreciation, and adoption of this profound practice. The media has effectively presented yoga as a practice that transcends age, background, and ability, making it accessible to people from all walks of life.
Thanking the media for playing this role as an enabler, Thakur said “I express my heartfelt gratitude to the media for its invaluable contributions in disseminating the outreach of yoga in India and across the globe. Your unwavering dedication to sharing the transformative power of this practice has undoubtedly played a significant role in making yoga a universal language of wellness.”
The selection for the Samman will be carried out by an independent jury. Recipients of the Samman will receive a special media, plaque, trophy, and a citation.
The guidelines require Media Houses to submit details in a prescribed format along with relevant clippings of article(s) created and published or audio-visual content telecast or broadcast made during the period from June 10, 2023, to June 25, 2023. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2023.
Detailed guidelines can be accessed on the websites of the Press Information Bureau (https://pib.gov.in/indexd.aspx) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (https://mib.gov.in/).
What is Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman?
Acknowledging the positive role and responsibility of media in disseminating the outreach of Yoga in India and abroad, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had instituted the first Antarashtriya Yoga Diwas Media Samman (AYDMS) in June, 2019. The first edition of the awards was presented on January 7, 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a break in the awards. Now, the Ministry has decided to revive the Samman and organize the second edition in 2023.
The International Day of Yoga has been observed annually on June 21 since 2015. The concept of this day was initially proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014.
While proposing the idea the Prime Minister stated, “Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help in wellbeing. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day.”
As a result of this proposal, informal consultations were held by the UNGA on October 14, 2014, to discuss the draft resolution titled “International Day of Yoga.” These consultations were organized by the Indian delegation. On 11 December 2014, India’s Permanent Representative introduced the draft resolution in the United Nations General Assembly. The draft text received broad support from 177 Member States who sponsored the text, which was adopted without a vote. This initiative found support from most global leaders. A total of 177 nations co-sponsored the resolution, which is the highest number of co-sponsors ever for any UNGA resolution of such nature.