Yoga in the Netherlands before Modi's visit

The Hague [Netherlands], June 19 (ANI): Merely a few days before the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to the Netherlands, nearly 1000 people, including cricketer Suresh Raina, Preety Dhillon, Miss India Holland 2017, Dutch nationals and members of the Suriname-Hindustani as well as the Indian communities gathered to practice Yoga in The Hague on Sunday to mark the Third International Day of Yoga.

"Yoga is India's gift to mankind. Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, the man behind the initiative to celebrate the International Day of Yoga three years back, would be visiting the Netherlands soon", announced Venu Rajamony, the new Ambassador of India to the Netherlands while welcoming the gathering.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Netherlands on June 27, 2017 on a working visit. The visit assumes significance as India and the Netherlands are celebrating 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year.

In The Hague, Prime Minister Modi will meet the Dutch Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Mark Rutte and hold official talks with him. He is also expected to call on the King of the Netherlands, said Asha Antony, Second Secretary (Political and Information) in Indian Embassy at The Hague in a Press release issued here.

The largest ever Yoga 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'.

The Chief Guest at the event, 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 Suresh Raina, Joris Geeven from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Preety Dhillon, Miss India Holland 2017, Dutch nationals and members of the Suriname-Hindustani as well as the Indian communities.

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, Shikha Khanna, a yoga expert from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, Madeleine Gaastra from the Art of Living, and Farooq Abdul Khader, a local yoga teacher.

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. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI