Distinguished dignitaries, leadership and members of the Hungarian Yoga Teachers Association, respected yoga teachers, practitioners, and friends of India,

Jó napot kívánok! Namaste!

It is a pleasure to join you all today for the opening of the 8^th JÓGA Konferencia 2026. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Hungarian Yoga Teachers Association for organizing this magnificent gathering under the beautiful and timely theme: "Generations of Yoga."

This theme resonates deeply with the very essence of Yoga. Yoga is not a trend that fades with the changing of seasons; it is an eternal discipline, an ancient science of well-being that has been passed down from generation to generation, from teacher to student, across millennia. Seeing multiple generations represented here today—all united by a shared passion for this ancient wisdom—is a testament to the timeless, universal nature of this practice.

Since arriving in this beautiful country, I have been continually moved by the extraordinary curious nature and the profound open-mindedness of the Hungarian people. Historically, Hungary has always been a land of deep intellectual pursuit and cultural exploration. When it comes to India, this curiosity has blossomed into a magnificent acceptance of traditional Indian knowledge.

Whether it is Ayurveda, classical Indian arts, Indology, or, most prominently, Yoga, the people of Hungary have not merely observed these traditions from afar—you have embraced them, studied them, and woven them into the fabric of your daily lives. It is this intellectual openness that has fueled the remarkable and ever-growing popularity of Yoga across Hungary. From the bustling streets of Budapest to the serene landscapes of the countryside, the footprint of Yoga in this country is both vast and inspiring.

However, as Yoga continues to expand globally, it is occasionally subject to simplification. Yoga can be misunderstood and seen merely as a form of physical exercise. A series of complex postures, or asanas, designed solely to increase flexibility and physical strength.

While the physical benefits of Yoga are undeniable and highly beneficial, they are only the tip of the iceberg. True Yoga is far more profound. The word "Yoga" itself is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj, which means "to join," "to yoke," or "to unite." It is, at its core, a deeply spiritual practice aimed at creating perfect harmony between the mind and the body, between human consciousness and universal consciousness.

Yoga is a journey inward. It is about stilling the fluctuations of the mind, finding inner peace amidst external chaos, and cultivating a deep sense of awareness and compassion. When we reduce Yoga to mere gymnastics, we deprive ourselves of its most transformative power—the ability to heal our minds, elevate our spirits, and bring a lasting sense of equilibrium to our lives.

This is precisely why the work of the Hungarian Yoga Teachers Association is so incredibly vital. To the leadership and the members of this esteemed Association: I wish to express my deepest gratitude and admiration.

Through your tireless efforts, you have ensured that the Yoga taught and practiced in Hungary is not diluted. You have taken it upon yourselves to maintain the highest levels of Yoga teaching, preserving its rich philosophy and practicing it in its most authentic form. You act as the modern-day custodians of this ancient science in Central Europe.

I want to take this opportunity to officially thank the Association and all its members for your outstanding efforts in celebrating the International Day of Yoga year after year. Your enthusiastic participation, your meticulous organization of events, and your dedication to bringing communities together have made the International Day of Yoga a landmark event in Hungary. The Embassy is deeply grateful for your unwavering partnership in this endeavor.

The global embrace of Yoga is not a coincidence. It is being actively taken to every corner of the world under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Modi. It was his proposal at the United Nations General Assembly that led to the declaration of June 21st as the International Day of Yoga, supported by a record number of member states, including Hungary.

Prime Minister Modi has continually emphasized that Yoga is India’s gift to the world. A gift for global health, harmony, and peace. In a world fraught with stress, conflict, and lifestyle diseases, Yoga serves as a unifying force, offering a sustainable path to holistic well-being. It is a philosophy that builds bridges, transcending the boundaries of language, geography, and culture.

Recognizing the desire of genuine seekers to learn Yoga at its source, the Government of India is committed to facilitating authentic Yoga education globally. I am delighted to highlight today that we offer specialized Yoga Training Courses in India, fully sponsored under the Government of India’s ITEC or the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation program.

Through the ITEC program, practitioners have the opportunity to travel to India, study at some of the most premier and historic Yoga institutions, and immerse themselves fully in the lifestyle and philosophy of Yoga, all on a fully funded scholarship.

Given the exceptional caliber of practitioners here in Hungary, I warmly invite and strongly encourage more Hungarian students, teachers, and practitioners of Yoga to apply for these ITEC courses. Go to India, deepen your practice at the source, and bring that enriched knowledge back to share with your communities here in Hungary. The Embassy stands ready to assist you in this journey.

Yoga's future rests on its youngest shoulders. Today, when screens, sedentary routines and stress arrive earlier than ever, the discipline codified centuries ago offers young people something rare — a practice that builds strength, steadiness and mental clarity without needing a gym or a fortune. India has recognised this urgency: the Ministry of AYUSH, through the International Day of Yoga celebrated every 21 June since 2015, the Common Yoga Protocol, the Yoga Certification Board and school-level programmes, has carried yoga into schools, colleges and youth festivals, drawing millions of young practitioners each year. The Hungarian Yoga Teachers Association can translate that momentum into its own context. By partnering with schools and universities, offering short, exam-friendly sessions, training young teachers who speak the language of their peers, using social media to reframe yoga as dynamic rather than distant, and hosting youth-focused workshops and retreats, the Association can make the mat feel welcoming to a generation in Hungary that needs it most. When young Hungarians discover yoga, they do not simply inherit a tradition — they carry it forward, ensuring it stays alive, relevant and rooted for decades to come.

Dear friends, as you embark on the JÓGA Konferencia 2026, you are not just attending seminars and workshops; you are participating in a living tradition. You are the bridge between the generations that have preserved this knowledge in the past, and the generations that will benefit from it in the future.

I wish you all the very best for this conference. May your deliberations be successful, your practices be deep, and your spirits be elevated. May the light of Yoga continue to burn brightly in Hungary, fostering a society of health, peace, and mutual understanding.

Thank you for your time, your dedication, and your love for Yoga.

Köszönöm szépen. Om Shanti.