CONSULATE GENERAL OF INDIA

SHANGHAI

PRESS RELEASE

IDY Celebrations in Shanghai 

      The Consulate General of India in Shanghai organized the flagship event of the International Day of Yoga celebration in Shanghai on 21 June 2023 at the iconic Bund area on the terrace of the famous Pualaner restaurant overlooking the iconic Lujiazui skyline, especially, the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Shanghai Tower. The IDY programme included a mass Yoga session followed by a ‘Raj Yoga’ meditation session and an enchanting musical performance (Sitar and Tabla).

In his welcome address Dr. N. Nandakumar, Consul General recalled that the proposal for celebrating the International Day of Yoga was made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister fo India Shri Narendra Modi during his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2014. He also underlined that the 9^th IDY celebrations held a special significance to India as the country celebrated 75^th anniversary of its independence and was holding the presidency of two important mulitlateral organizations viz., G20 and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He also offered support of the Consulate for anyone interested in learning more about Yoga.

The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation of about 200 participants including Foreign Diplomats based in Shanghai, Indian community, officials from New Development Bank, Friends of India and people from all walks of the local society. Hon’ble Consul General of Russia in Shanghai, Mr. Dmitrii Lukiantsev and Hon’ble Consul General of Uruguay in Shanghai, Mr. Marcelo Magnou, diplomatic representatives from Hungary, Israel, Italy, Norway, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and USA were among the guests. The ICCR empaneled Yoga teachers of the Consulate viz., (i) Dr. Avinash Mishra, (ii) Shri Sudhir, and (iii) Shri Naorem Arjun Singh conducted the Yoga session as per the Common Yoga Protocol. The Yoga session conducted in coincidence with the sun rise had a refreshing effect on the particpants and was well appreciated.

Brahma Kumari Sister Sapna conducted the guided meditation session. She explained the principles behind practice of meditation to the participants. After a refreshing Yoga session, the guided meditation session had a calming effect on the participants. The session also helped to emphasize on the holistic practice of Yoga for both physical and mental well being.

After the session, Consul General Dr. N. Nandakumar felicitated the sponsors, Yoga teachers, and volunteers who had supported the programme with Certificates of Appreciation. The IDY celebration was supported by generous sponsorship from M/s Tata Consultancy Services, Shanghai, Aurbindo Pharma Ltd, Shanghai, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., Beijing and Shanghai Shujin Environment Tech Co.Ltd. Further, M/s BYMB, Shanghai supported the programme with all the venue related arrangements.

The event concluded with a mesmerizing Sitar performance by Master Shubhodeep Sinha, a young talent from the Indian Community in Shanghai. He played Raag Mala on Sitar and was ably supported by Shri Keshav Roopai with Tabla.

26^th June, 2023

Shanghai