PORTUGAL, April 9, 2015 (Boas Noticias): The president of the Portuguese Yoga Confederation, Jorge Veiga e Castro (Jagat Guru Amrta Suryananda), has just been awarded the prestigious Padma Shri prize by the Government of India, for his “exceptional contribution” to the promotion of peace and yoga in the world. This is the first time anyone from Portugal has received this honor. The Padma Shri award, which was created by the Indian Government in 1954, is rarely given to foreign dignitaries.
A statement from the Portuguese Yoga Confederation explains that it is a “high distinction,” equivalent to an award from Portugal’s Order of Prince Henry, which recognizes Jorge Veiga e Castro “for his decisive role in creating the International Day of Yoga.” The establishment of this Yoga Day was the “culmination of 14 years of hard work in promoting Yoga in Portugal and in the World.” The International Yoga Day has subsequently been officially recognized by the United Nations in December 2014. It was made possible with the supporting votes of 177 of the 193 UN member countries which resulted in the formalization of the International Day of Yoga on June 21, the summer solstice.
HPI adds: See complete coverage of Portugal’s International Yoga Day in the January/February/March 2014 issue of Hinduism Today magazine.
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