The event titled ‘Coffee and Harit Yoga’, served as a tranquil prelude to the International Day of Yoga 2025 (Photos: India Outbound/Garima Sharma)
The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), in collaboration with the Embassy of Ethiopia and with support from the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, hosted a special edition of Harit Yoga at the Ethiopian Embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday.
According to the press statement, the event titled ‘Coffee and Harit Yoga’, served as a tranquil prelude to the International Day of Yoga 2025, that falls on June 23, seamlessly weaving together themes of sustainability, cross-cultural friendship and holistic well-being.
Each participant planted a sapling, symbolising a shared commitment to environmental consciousness
“Yoga is a precious gift from India to the world. It inspires unity and holistic health. Tonight’s event beautifully merges our traditions of hospitality, mindfulness, and sustainability. Through events like this, we build bridges that connect cultures and promote wellness as a global pursuit. The harmony of yoga and Ethiopia’s coffee tradition is a perfect example of that,” said Fesseha Shawel Gebre, Ambassador of Ethiopia to India.
Fesseha Shawel Gebre
On the sidelines of the event, Shawel-Gebre told India Outbound about the significance of the event. “This event is important because yoga is one of India’s major contributions to the world. Similarly, coffee, both the beverage itself and the unique coffee ceremony, stands as another important tradition we have shared globally. We do not simply drink coffee as others might; instead, we have a special way of preparing and enjoying it, much like the Japanese tea ceremony. Our coffee ceremony is a communal activity, a time for people to come together, socialise, exchange information within the neighbourhood and even resolve problems. This ceremony acts as a social mechanism for connection and reconciliation. Yoga and coffee are distinct traditions, yet both have become international phenomena. Now, we have the chance to bring these experiences together and share them with the world. That is what is happening today,” the Ambassador said.
Yoga and coffee are distinct traditions, yet both have become international phenomena
The event began with a guided yoga session led by Lalit Madan, a Ministry of Ayush-certified trainer. The attendees also took part in a special plantation drive alongside the yoga session. Each participant planted a sapling, symbolising a shared commitment to environmental consciousness and collective responsibility.
The event concluded with a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, renowned for its hospitality and rich symbolism. This cultural exchange sparked engaging discussions on wellness tourism, sustainable living, and stronger India-Africa ties.
Molalign Asfaw
“Coffee and yoga emphasise the value of interpersonal relationships and represent the merging of our two cultures. We are dedicated to strengthening our partnership, which has lasted for more than 2,000 years, not only through trade or technology but also by encouraging face-to-face interaction between people. Our common ancestry is symbolised by coffee and yoga, which are gifts from our civilisations. We honour our long-standing collaboration and show the value of cross-cultural dialogue and global connectivity by sharing these with the world,” Molalign Asfaw, Deputy Head of Mission, Ethiopia Embassy told India Outbound.
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