On the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Széchenyi István University, in cooperation with the Embassy of India in Hungary and the Amrita Sher-Gil Indian Cultural Centre, organized a celebratory programme on its Győr campus. The event, which included a group yoga practice and a free yoga session, attracted many Hungarian and international students as well as local residents.

Széchenyi István University considers its close relationship with India—the birthplace of yoga—extremely important. This is well reflected in the University’s joint international business and management double degree programme with Integral University, as well as the Paneer restaurant on campus, which offers Indian cuisine. It has become almost a tradition for the University to celebrate 21 June, declared the International Day of Yoga by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, to raise awareness of yoga’s positive effects on both physical and mental health.

At the event organized in collaboration with the Indian Embassy and the Amrita Sher-Gil Indian Cultural Centre, Dr Mukesh Kumar Srivastava, Director of the Cultural Centre, greeted participants in both English and Hungarian. “Thank you to Széchenyi István University for once again organizing this event. The institution’s commitment to well-being, inclusion and intercultural connection-building is truly commendable. Our collaboration exemplifies our shared goal of building healthier, more conscious communities,” he stated. He revealed that the theme of this year’s International Day of Yoga is the health of the community, society, and the Earth as a whole.

Dr Mukesh Kumar Srivastava, Director of the Amrita Sher-Gil Indian Cultural Centre, and Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations at Széchenyi István University, opened the event. (Photo: András Adorján)

In her welcome speech, Dr Eszter Lukács, a practitioner of the "Yoga in Daily Life" system, expressed her honour that the University’s Győr campus could host the celebration. “The health of the Earth and the individual—which is the main focus of today—is also a highly important area for our institution. At our Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, we place great emphasis on promoting and studying a healthy lifestyle, which of course includes yoga,” she noted. She added that the programme centres around a tradition that transcends languages, borders and cultures and encompasses the harmony of mind, body and soul. “June 21, The International Day of Yoga, is also the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. This date holds deep spiritual significance in Indian culture and, since 2014, has become a global celebration of the unifying power of yoga,” she emphasized. She also highlighted that both the programme and the large number of participants reflect the University’s ongoing efforts to develop a diverse, inclusive and health-conscious academic community.

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to take part in a group yoga practice led by Indian yoga instructor Aravinda Kollipara from the Cultural Centre, followed by a session with Tünde Villám, the Győr instructor for the "Yoga in Daily Life" programme. 

At the Győr celebration of the International Day of Yoga, Aravinda Kollipara, yoga instructor from the Amrita Sher-Gil Indian Cultural Centre, led a group practice session for the participants. (Photo: András Adorján)

One participant, Chiamaka Juliet Chuma, a Nigerian student majoring in International Studies, tried yoga for the first time thanks to the event. “I saw it as a great opportunity when I received the invitation. I’m especially happy that the University organizes so many cultural programmes for students,” she said. She added that events like this bring students from diverse backgrounds closer together, provide enriching experiences, and broaden young people’s perspectives through new experiences.

Similar sentiments were shared by students Rózsa Szalay (Special Education major) and Zsófia Németh (Classical Clarinet major). “It’s amazing that the University offers so many opportunities to enrich student life. What made today truly special was getting to learn yoga in an authentic way from an Indian teacher,” said Zsófia Németh. Rózsa Szalay added that the event came at the perfect time—just after the end of the exam period—offering a chance to relax and recover from the semester’s stress.

The event at Széchenyi István University drew interest not only from students but also from members of the local community. (Photo: András Adorján)