New Delhi, April 29, 2025 : In a landmark moment for international cultural ties, India has conferred the Padma Shri award on Kuwaiti national Shaikha Ali Jaber Al-Sabah for her significant contributions to the research, development, and global outreach of yoga.
At a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu presented the honor to Shaikha Al-Sabah, founder of Daratma for Yoga Education — Kuwait’s first officially licensed yoga institution. This recognition marks her as the first Kuwaiti national to receive one of India’s highest civilian awards for advancing yoga studies and practices abroad.
Reflecting on the honor, Shaikha Al-Sabah said,
> "I'm deeply honoured and grateful to receive the Padma Shri. It’s a validation of years of work dedicated to nurturing and scientifically advancing yoga in Kuwait and the Gulf region."
Since founding Daratma in 2014 — a name fusing the Arabic "Dar" (home) and the Sanskrit "Atma" (soul) — Shaikha Al-Sabah has led efforts not just in teaching yoga but in promoting formal education, research, and scientific study of yoga practices. Her initiatives influenced the Kuwaiti Ministry of Commerce and Industry to create an official licensing framework for yoga education, setting a precedent for the region.
In addition to her work in wellness, Shaikha Al-Sabah has contributed to humanitarian causes, including the "Yomnak lil Yaman" fundraiser for Yemeni refugees and distributing educational materials to underserved communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her commitment to yoga research and cross-cultural collaboration was also recognized by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Kuwait in December 2024. Praising her achievements, he encouraged deeper engagement with young people through yoga-led wellness programs.
The Padma Shri awarded to Shaikha Ali Jaber Al-Sabah underlines the global dimension of India’s yoga diplomacy and showcases the unifying power of ancient wisdom in today’s world.
Agency Inputs
