分类： society

On a milestone Saturday marking 15 years of disability advocacy in Suriname, President Jennifer Simons made a landmark pledge: people with disabilities across the nation will no longer be sidelined from national growth, and will gain a formal voice in shaping the country’s long-term future plans.

The announcement came during a jubilee celebration for the Suriname-based disability rights organization Stichting Wan Okasi, held at Riverside Shadien, where Simons opened by offering public praise for the foundational work the group has carried out since its founding in 2011. Over 15 years, Wan Okasi has evolved from a small grassroots initiative into one of the country’s most influential advocates for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.

In her address, President Simons emphasized that the unique talents, relentless perseverance, and extraordinary courage of people with disabilities prove they are fully capable of making meaningful, valuable contributions to Surinamese society. “The grit and determination of people with disabilities inspire us all, and teach us a daily lesson that nothing should hold us back from pursuing our goals,” the head of state told attendees. She went on to underscore that equal access to opportunity is a core responsibility of the national government. “This is a collective responsibility for our entire society, but the government holds a formal duty to support this community and give them the same space to grow and thrive that every other citizen enjoys,” Simons said.

Most notably, the president confirmed that representatives of the disability community will be included in the special working group tasked with drafting Suriname’s national long-term development roadmap. “Our national vision is built on the promise that no one will be left behind,” she stated.

Following the president’s remarks, Aniel Koendjbiharie, chair of Wan Okasi, took the stage to reflect on the organization’s progress over 15 years, while outlining ambitious new plans for expanding disability inclusion across the country. Koendjbiharie highlighted key wins the organization has secured to date, including major contributions to the establishment of Suriname’s national human rights institute, improvements to road safety for disabled people, and expanded access to financial services for the community.

Looking ahead, the group is rolling out new initiatives focused on expanding educational access. A new pilot program is already in development to give people with disabilities the opportunity to pursue vocational secondary education (MBO-level training). Wan Okasi has also formed a new partnership with the Anton de Kom University of Suriname (AdeKUS), aimed at increasing enrollment of students with disabilities starting in the upcoming academic year.

Koendjbiharie also called for the establishment of a structured, regular consultation framework between the organization and the national government. He noted that Wan Okasi has grown dramatically in size, reach, and expertise over the past 15 years, and is fully prepared to enter a new phase of formal collaboration with state institutions. To advance this goal, the organization will submit a formal governance code with concrete policy proposals to the Simons administration in the coming period.

The 15th anniversary gathering brought together disability advocates, government officials, and community members to celebrate the progress that has been made, while reinforcing shared commitments to building a more inclusive Suriname for all.

On a Sunday morning in Suriname, inmates held at the Uitvlugt police station’s detention block launched a coordinated uprising, fueled by long-simmering grievances over provided meals and visitation policies. Authorities from the Suriname Police Corps confirmed on Wednesday that the unrest, which began at approximately 10 a.m., has been fully contained, and a potential mass escape has been successfully prevented. According to the police’s public relations division, the unrest originated from two core complaints from the incarcerated individuals: first, widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of state-provided meals delivered to the facility, and second, strong objection to existing regulations that ban visitors from bringing in certain personal items, most notably instant noodles like popular Indomie brand soup. What began as a collective protest quickly escalated into open insurrection. Inmates ripped cell block doors from their hinges, constructed barricades at the main entrance to the detention wing, and caused extensive property damage throughout the facility. Multiple reports also confirm that protestors threw contaminated water and waste at on-duty police officers stationed at the complex. In response to the rapidly escalating crisis, police leadership ordered an immediate evacuation of the entire cell block. All inmates were swiftly transferred to other detention facilities across the region, with identified suspected ringleaders of the uprising moved to the central prison, the House of Detention, to prevent further unrest. In a post-incident briefing, police officials clarified that the catering service responsible for meals at Uitvlugt also supplies food to multiple other detention facilities in Suriname, and no complaints about meal quality have been recorded at any other location. This lack of parallel complaints has led investigators to conclude that the uprising was deliberately incited by a small group of inmates, rather than being a spontaneous response to poor conditions. Police spokesperson further noted that the unrest is likely linked to recent severe sentencing demands brought against several of the suspected ringleaders. The protest was allegedly orchestrated to create chaos that would enable an escape attempt, a plot that law enforcement successfully dismantled before it could progress. The operation to regain control of the facility was led by Haimee Hip, regional commander for Paramaribo and chief inspector, who coordinated closely with the Uitvlugt regional commander and his command staff. Additional tactical support was provided by the specialized Arrest Team and the Paramaribo Regional Assistance Team, allowing authorities to regain control of the facility without extended conflict.

Millions of yoga enthusiasts across the globe unroll their mats on June 21 each year to mark International Yoga Day, and 2025’s 12th iteration of the annual observance brought young and old practitioners together at Suriname’s Arya Diwaker Hall to honor the ancient wellness practice centered on physical and mental balance.

Hosted by the Embassy of India, the event drew a high-profile guest list including India’s Ambassador to Suriname Subhash Gupta, members of his family, Indian diplomatic staff, Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melvin Bouva (also accompanied by his family), and parliamentarian Ameerani Jarbhandan. All participants followed a structured yoga protocol led by instructors and students from the Swami Vivekananda Indian Cultural Centre (ICC).

Far from framing yoga as just a series of complex stretching routines, Ambassador Gupta emphasized that it represents a complete, holistic lifestyle rooted in balance. As one of the six classical schools of Indian philosophy, yoga holds a core position in Vedantic thought, he explained. Summarizing centuries of ancient tradition, Gupta cited the Sanskrit phrase *samatvam yoga uchyate*, which translates to: yoga is the state of equilibrium, harmony and equanimity. Beyond individual wellness, he added, yoga serves as a powerful tool for humanity’s collective pursuit of sustainable living that aligns with planetary health, framing the practice as a journey from individual self-interest to collective harmony.

This year’s International Yoga Day carried the global theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” a focus that Minister Bouva explored in depth. Noting that global life expectancy has risen dramatically in recent decades, Bouva argued that longer lifespans bring a shared responsibility to ensure those extra years are lived in good health, dignity, inclusion and fulfillment. “Healthy ageing is not just about adding more years to life; it is about adding more life to those years,” he said, noting that yoga’s gentle yet effective movements support the retention of flexibility, strength, balance and mobility — all attributes critical to maintaining quality of life as people age.

Bouva also stressed that yoga offers tangible benefits for people of all ages in today’s hyper-connected digital era. For children and young people, the practice boosts focus, self-discipline, emotional regulation and self-confidence, he said. For working adults juggling packed professional and personal schedules, yoga provides an essential pause for mindfulness and self-care that underpins overall well-being.

The 2025 celebration gained extra symbolic significance this year, as it coincided with the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between India and Suriname. Both Gupta and Bouva reflected on the milestone, noting that beyond official political and historical ties, the two nations share deep common cultural heritage, values and traditions. Gupta called yoga a shining example of that shared heritage, saying it reflects the cultural kinship between the two countries and symbolizes the enduring bonds between their peoples and societies.

Bouva echoed that sentiment, noting that people-to-people initiatives like collective yoga practice remind the world that diplomacy is not conducted only through formal official channels. “It also happens through the sharing of ideas, values and traditions that enrich all our societies,” he said.

The event also acknowledged that June 21 also marks Father’s Day, with Bouva noting that group yoga practice acts as a unifying activity for families and communities. It promotes healthy lifestyles and strengthens social bonds, he added, reminding attendees that well-being is not just an individual pursuit, but a collective one — a reality made clear by the gathering of practitioners at Arya Diwaker Hall.

In closing, Gupta shared his wish that “the light of yoga will illuminate our lives and the world.” Bouva called on all attendees to embrace the spirit of this year’s theme by promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting the well-being of older adults, while also encouraging people of all ages — from children to working adults — to invest in their own physical, mental and emotional health.

International Yoga Day was formally established by the United Nations in 2014, which designated June 21 — the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when sunlight stretches across more of the globe than any other day — as the annual date for the observance.

In Suriname, interest in yoga has grown steadily in recent years, with a expanding ecosystem of yoga schools offering a wide range of traditions to suit every practitioner’s preferences. The broader philosophy includes multiple distinct branches: Hatha Yoga, the physical-focused path that builds strength and cleanses the body through poses and muscle work; Karma Yoga, which centers on selfless action and service to others; Raja Yoga, often called the “royal path,” which focuses on deep meditation; Jnana Yoga, the path of knowledge, wisdom and self-inquiry; and Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion and unconditional love.

To cap off the day’s celebrations, the Art of Living organization will host closing yoga activities including asanas, mantras, meditation and relaxation sessions at the Yoga Peetha Happiness Centre for local enthusiasts.

Since the UN designated International Yoga Day in 2014, the Indian Embassy has worked to introduce yoga as a formal wellness program in Suriname’s public schools. Over the years, embassy officials have held discussions on the proposal with multiple ministers of education, though the initiative has so far only advanced to the stage of stated intent, with no formal policy adoption to date.