UN plans to issue Yoga Day stamps next year

United Nations: The UN plans to issue stamps next year in commemoration of the International Yoga Day, celebrated annually on June 21, after the world body adopted an India-led resolution in 2014.

"United Nations celebrates International Yoga Day, plans to issue stamps on this topic in 2017," UNPA (UN Postal Administration) tweeted.

UN stamps are issued simultaneously at the world body's offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.

Each issue carries a related design theme, with different denominations for each office.

Usually six new commemorative issues are released each year and remain on sale for 12 months only.

Participants from a record 135 nationalities had gathered in front of the iconic UN Secretariat building here to commemorate the second International Day of Yoga last month, with General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft underlining the importance of Yoga in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Renowned spiritual leader Sadhguru had led a yoga session during the hour-long commemoration, organised by India's Permanent Mission to the UN and attended by top UN officials, ambassadors, diplomats and yoga?practitioners.

The first International Yoga Day was commemorated at the UN with aplomb last year, with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj leading the celebrations along with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Ban and his wife had joined hundreds of students and yoga practitioners to perform asanas and mediate under the guidance of Shankar during the yoga day celebrations.

In December 2014, the UN General Assembly had adopted a resolution introduced by India's Ambassador to UN Asoke Mukerji with a record number of 177 co-sponsoring member states to establish the International Day of Yoga to be observed every year on June 21.

UN stamps have illustrated the aims and achievements of the United Nations and its family of organisations, the UNPA website said.