JEDDAH: India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar honored Nouf Al-Marwaai, president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, in recognition of her contribution to yoga in Saudi Arabia.

The ceremony was recently held in New Delhi as part of the second News18 SheShakti Summit, which aims to bring together women leaders from politics, art, social work and other fields, highlighting their contributions and leadership.

Under the theme “Breaking Barriers,” the summit featured an inspiring lineup of pioneers from diverse fields — politics, science, arts, business, sport and entertainment — who shared their groundbreaking journeys and insights on empowerment resilience, and leadership, reflecting the unstoppable momentum of women.

Al-Marwaai, Saudi Arabia’s first certified yoga instructor and the recipient in 2018 of India’s fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, told Arab News: “I am honored and humbled to have been recognized as a Saudi woman, and I am thankful for the recognition of efforts in promoting yoga in the Saudi Arabia.”

Al-Marwaai, whose interest in yoga began when her life was clouded by severe health problems, shared her journey on a SheShakti 2024 panel along with American Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, a global spiritual leader, speaker, author and social activist.

She said her life was affected by severe health challenges at the age of 18 and doctors told her parents that her chances of survival were slim.

“Later, I started practicing yoga after getting a book from my father. It was not easy to follow. That year, in 1998, doctors told my parents that I won’t live anymore,” Al-Marwaai said.

She turned to the internet to explore yoga and its practice further.

Al-Marwaai expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Saudi government for its efforts and support in promoting yoga and encouraging young people to practice the discipline.