UNESCO may soon declare Yoga as Indian heritage

By Newsgram Staff Writer

UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said that yoga is in the list of elements to be considered by the Intangible Heritage Committee for inscription on UNESCO's register.

Bokova told a newspaper that a lot of her friends have benefited both spiritually and physically by practicing yoga in difficult times. It is a unique living tradition of India."

The Indian mission said "Yoga is practiced by 250 million worldwide, including the three million in France. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago and the foundations of yoga philosophy were written down in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali in 200 AD".

Modi was instrumental in getting the United Nations to declare June 21 as the International Yoga Day which is endorsed by 175 members of the UN . He is also expected to unveil a portal on yoga in France on April 10, reported Times of India.

If selected, yoga will become the 31st intangible cultural heritage that has been listed from India so far with UNESCO.