Embassy of India
Beijing
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5th International Day of Yoga Celebrations

1. On 21 June 2019, the Embassy of India, Beijing organized a special event at India House to celebrate the 5th International Day of Yoga. The event witnessed the participation from all the major yoga institutes in Beijing. Yoga practitioners and enthusiasts from all walks of life participated in the event, with total number of attendees approaching one thousand.‬

2. The programme commenced with a video message from Prime Minister Modi on the significance of yoga to mankind. Ambassador Vikram Misri in his remarks at the event noted that the celebration of the International Day of Yoga had emerged as a major event on the national calendar of many countries, which has served to create awareness about Yoga, and also sent a powerful message of maintaining harmony through physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He highlighted that the growing popularity of yoga in China reflected not only the civilizational connect between India and China, but also the modern aspirations of our two peoples to work together in spirit of friendship and cooperation. ‪Ambassador’s remarks were followed by a 40-minute group Yoga session by all the nearly one thousand attendees, comprising postures (Asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayam) based on the Common Yoga Protocol. The group yoga session was led by a team of indian Yoga teachers. The programme concluded by a demonstration of advanced yoga poses by yoga experts.‬

3. ‪To observe the 5th International Day of Yoga, the Embassy of India also organized yoga events in various historic and scenic sites in different provinces of China, in collaboration with the local and provincial governments. Yoga events were held at the Tianhe Tan Park in Guiyang, Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Shaolin Temple in Henan and Qingdao in Shandong. The Chinese public participated enthusiastically and in large numbers at all of these events. In addition, the Consulate General of India in Shanghai organized yoga events in seven cities, and Consulate General of India in Guangzhou in three cities.

Beijing
21 June 2019

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