The largest ever Yoga event in the Netherlands with participation of nearly 1000 people was organised in The Hague on June 18, 2017, Sunday to mark the Third International Day of Yoga.
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’. Mr. Venu Rajamony, the new Ambassador of India to the Netherlands welcomed the gathering and described Yoga as 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 soon.
The Chief Guest 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. He also sought Ambassador’s leadership in linking the Indian and the Surinami-Hindustani communities in the Netherlands.
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.