Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that helps in maintaining physical and mental well-being, and over the years, it has found popularity in other countries as well. In 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the UN General Assembly proposed marking a day as the International Day of Yoga and the proposal was endorsed by 175 member states, post which the United Nations recognized June 21 as the day to celebrate Yoga. Addressing the nation on International Yoga Day 2021, Prime Minister of India stressed the benefits of yoga and announced that India, along with United Nations and WHO, is launching an app called M-Yoga aiming to provide easy access to Yogic practice all over the world.

Due to the highly infectious nature of the virus causing COVID-19, the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2021 was celebrated by the staff members of ICAR-Central Institute for Women in Agriculture, Bhubaneswar at home around the themes “Yoga for Wellbeing” individually or with family within the confines of their homes. The Common Yoga Protocol to be followed was circulated to all the staff. All the staff members actively performed the Common Yoga Protocol either individually or with family within the confines of their homes at 7:00 A.M. The programme was facilitated by Dr. Anil Kumar, Acting Director and coordinated by Dr. A. K. Panda, Nodal Officer