H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, the new Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, during his first speech in The Hague.
Largest ever Yoga event in the Netherlands organised in The Hague to mark Third International Day of Yoga
The largest ever International Day of Yoga event in the Netherlands was organised in The Hague on Sunday June 18, 2017, with participation of nearly 1000 people.
The event was organised by the Embassy of India with the support of The Hague City Council in the Atrium of the City Hall, an iconic building, often referred to as the ‘Ice Palace’. HE Mr. Venu Rajamony, the new Ambassador of India to the Netherlands welcomed the gathering and described Yoga as the ” India’s gift to mankind.”
He announced that Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi, the man behind the initiative to celebrate the International Day of Yoga three years back, would be visiting the Netherlands in few days. He send a special message to the audience ‘ in the present century we are observing that yoga has connected the entire world. Yoga is a medium to experience and realise how holistic life can be lived in a balance way’ Prime Minister said.
The guest of honour at the event, Mr Rabin Baldewsingh, Deputy Mayor of The Hague spoke of the vibrant connection between India and the Netherlands and promised the gathering and the Indian community of the continued support of the City Council in their activities. Participants in the group yoga session included Indian cricketer Mr Suresh Raina, Mr Joris Geeven from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Preety Dhillon, Miss India Holland 2017, Dutch nationals and members of the Suriname-Hindustani as well as the Indian communities.
The event was organised in association with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, India Tourism Amsterdam, Art of Living Foundation, ISHA Foundation, and Jet Airways.
The yoga event was led by Dr Amit Khanna, Yoga expert at The Gandhi Centre in The Hague, which is the cultural wing of the Indian Embassy, Ms Shikha Khanna, a yoga expert from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, Ms Madeleine Gaastra from the Art of Living, and Mr Farooq Abdul Khader, a local yoga teacher.
