The Dongping National Forest Park at the Chongming Islands in Shanghai hosted the celebration of the 3^rd International Day of Yoga (IDY) at a function, which was jointly organized by Consulate General of India, Shanghai along with Chongming District Government today. 

2.     The 3^rd IDY celebration was held at the scenic Dongping National Forest Park with nearly 1000 yoga lovers from Chongming Island participating in the Yoga celebrations. A large number of members from the vibrant Indian community in Shanghai along with several Consuls General, including from South Africa, Venezuela, Ecuador and representatives of other Consulates also joined in the 3^rd IDY celebration. 

3.      It may be noted that in the Eastern China Region, Shanghai became the seventh city to host the 3^rd IDY launch, which is being celebrated across twelve cities in Eastern China from 17 – 25 June. 

4.    Giving the inaugural address at the IDY launch, Ms. Wang Jing, Vice Mayor of Chongming District, welcomed the exceptionally large turn out of participants at the Dongping National Forest Park and stated that Chongming District would be happy to host a long term Yoga Center based out of the green and scenic island in Shanghai. 

5.     Consulate General of India Shanghai had arranged through KYM (Krishnamachari Yoga Mandiram) a leading Indian Yoga teacher, who conducted the Yoga session for the nearly 1000 Yoga practitioners, based on the Common Yoga Protocol sent by the Department of AYUSH. The event was extremely well received by the large number of Yoga follower community in Shanghai. 

6.      In addition, in the afternoon of 21^st June, another event to mark the 3^rd IDY was held at the Shanghai University of Electric Power (SUEP), where nearly 500 students attended the Yoga session conducted by the Indian yoga teachers, along with faculty and leadership of the SUEP joining in. 

7.     It may be noted that in the Eastern China region of Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, 3^rd IDY celebrations are being organized by CGI Shanghai from 17 - 25 June, one day each across twelve cities in ECR, with theme of “Ten cities, Ten Days, bringing together 15000 Yoga Lovers closer to India – promoting healthy and harmonious lifestyles”!

8.    Each of the venues chosen in the twelve cities, i.e. Wuyi (19 May), Huzhou (20 May), Lishui (10 June), Zhenjiang (11 June), Hangzhou – Tonglu (17 June), Wenzhou (18 June), Shanghai (today), Jiaxing (22 June), Suqian (23 June), Xuzhou (23 June), Taizhou (24 June) and Wuxi (25 June), will be at prestigious open public spaces with participation from atleast 1000 people at each venue. The grand finale will be held on 25 June (Sunday) in Wuxi at the foothills of the scenic Lingshan Temple, where nearly 10000 Yoga Lovers are expected to participate in a record setting event in mainland China.

Shanghai

21 June 2017