Dr. R. Karunakaran, an Associate Professor at Hawassa University, has introduced the program to the participants. Dr. Eng. Fiseha Getachew, Vice President for Academic Affairs at Hawassa University, has officially opened the program and welcomed participants.

He has forwarded his thanks to the Indian Embassy and the Indian Council of Cultural Relations, New Delhi. He mentioned that he understands that ICCR is organizing several cultural events to strengthen bilateral relationships between India and Ethiopia. The present Yoga Celebration is one in the series, and it is being celebrated on June 21st every year. In addition to that, he said that we consider this as a great opportunity to know about Yoga as one of the significant health care systems. UN has recognized this practice as Yoga has proved to be one of the best means to keep one’s body and mind under healthy conditions. 

Dr. Eng. Fiseha further mentioned that Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body. It represents thought and action. Yoga is not merely to do exercises but to discover the sense of one's with us. Yoga controls emotional activities and brings harmony to all walks of life. Doing yoga can prevent and cure diseases. Yoga can promote health. Yoga practices aim to overcome all kinds of suffering and stress in life. Thereby it will lead to a life with good health happiness and harmony.

On behalf of Hawassa University, Dr. Eng. Fiseha Getachew has forwarded indeed thankful to Indian Embassy for having given this wonderful opportunity to host this International event at Hawassa University. He stated that Indian Embassy is always supporting Universities in Ethiopia in diverse fields. Besides Business Forum, Indian Embassy has also established Indian Educational Forum to strengthen Education in Ethiopia. The bondage between India and Ethiopia is more than 70 years. During this period the cultural connections established between these two countries were intensified. Most of the Indian Teachers who worked in Schools in Ethiopia are still remembered for their excellent contribution to education in Ethiopia, and still, they were the role models for the present-day teachers in Ethiopia.

Crucially, Dr. Fesiha stated that the Ethiopian Academicians regularly witnessing the activities of ICCR through the ‘India in Ethiopia Website’ The publication titled India Ethiopia 70 years of Diplomatic Relations reveals several interesting facts. There are strong bonds between India-Ethiopia co-operations in the field of education.

Yoga Demonstration has been done by Dr. M.Jeevanandam, an Assistant Professor, Department of Geology at Hawassa University.

Finally, Prof. Raman Kumar from the Department of Accounting and Finance, Hawassa University made a vote of thanks to all the participants and all organizers (Dr.S.Sivakumar (PhD) from College of Law and Governance, Hawassa University, Mr. ManojKollukad, and Dr. M. Jeevanandam, Indian Embassy India Education Forum (IEF) Representatives of Hawassa University.