Lee-Jean Fung
How it all began
World Laughter Day was inaugurated in 1998 by Dr Madan Kataria, founder of the worldwide Laughter Yoga movement. The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter. Its popularity has grown exponentially with that of the Laughter Yoga movement now counting over 6000 Laughter Clubs in more than 70 countries.
The first World Laughter Day gathering took place in Mumbai, India, in 1998. Twelve thousand members from local and international laughter clubs joined together in a mega laughter session.
Johor Bharu’s happiest people
The Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club, a non-governmental organization recently organized the World Laughter Day (WLD) 2012 celebration in Johor Bahru.
Several NGOs were invited to display their publicity booths including the Breast Cancer Support Group, Befrienders JB, Toastmasters International, Johor Bahru Alzheimer Disease Association, National Stroke Association Malaysia (JB), Intan Life Zone Society. Hospital Permai too participated in the uplifting event with more than 20 staff and residents. More than 200 people showed up to celebration WLD 2012.
The objectives of WLD events are:
1. To spread world peace through laughter.
2. To promote laughter as part of a healthy lifestyle.
3. To instill a sense of bonding and friendship.
WLD event included the Laughter King & Queen contest. Ungku Sharifah, 62, a resident of Hospital Permai and from Terengganu was crowned the Laughter Queen. Tan Eng Suan, 38 from Johor Bahru was declared the Laughter King. There was a peace message board too. Many Laughter Groups from various parts of Johor Bahru put up an entertaining laughter exercises.
The Peace message written by Dr Madan Kataria, the founder of the Laughter Clubs movement which was read in English, Bahasa Melayu, Mandarin and Tamil was the highlight of the day.
Also present were Shahrir Abdul Samad, Johor State Assemblyperson and Mok Chek Hou, ADUN Stulang.
The Peace Message
My Dear Friends of Laughter,
Today is World Laughter Day, customarily celebrated on the first Sunday of May every year. It gives me great pleasure to inform you that this year this day is being celebrated in more than 70 countries around the world. Our mission to bring good health, joy and world peace is once again being reaffirmed by thousands of people gathered to promote the benefits of unconditional laughter.
For centuries, everybody knew laughter is the best medicine, but there was no reliable delivery system. Laughter Yoga is a breakthrough exercise routine, which allows people to practice laughter without depending upon outside conditions and reasons of life.
Laughter Yoga Clubs movement which started in 1995 with just 5 people has grown into a global phenomenon and has become a community of social Laughter Clubs. In addition, Laughter Yoga today has permeated many other areas such as fitness centers, companies and corporations, schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, senior centers, prisons, police and even the army.
It is helping several people to beat the modern stresses and generate an all round body-mind wellness. Unconditional laughter creates a positive mental attitude and brings out our true spiritual nature of unconditional love, kindness, appreciation, forgiveness, generosity and willingness to help and serve others.
The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for world peace and is intended to build a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship.
On this auspicious day, let us laugh together by raising our arms and sending out positive vibrations of love and peace to make the whole world an extended family.
CJMY
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