Embassy of India

The Hague

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Press Release

June 22, 2020

Dutch Defence Minister joins the sixth International Yoga Day celebrations, says finding inner peace is crucial for a man and woman in uniform and yoga is a beautiful way to find the balance

Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld joined the sixth International Yoga Day online celebrations organized by the Indian Embassy.  The Minister thanked India for the wonderful gift of yoga to the world. She said finding inner peace is crucial for a man and woman in uniform and yoga is a beautiful way to find the balance. The Minister stated that yoga has formed a part of the training for the Dutch Armed forces for last 15 years and there are 130 yoga instructors.

The sixth International Yoga Day celebrations organized online by the Indian Embassy was streamed to 145,000 followers of the Embassy’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube Channels as well as on the websites of the Embassy and Stichting International Yoga Day. 

 Ambassador of India to The Netherlands Venu Rajamony opened the celebrations. This was followed by Prime Minister Modi's  message and 3D animated videos of Yoga with Modi.
 The Representatives of Dutch Army joined by the Dutch Police personnel demonstrated their yoga skills as part of the online celebrations.
The celebrations witnessed participation from a host of Dutch and Indian celebrities including Ambassadors of various countries based in The Hague. Dutch Actress Afke Reijenga, Extreme Sportsman popularly known as “The Iceman” Wim Hof, Singers Charlie Dée and Anouk Maas were amongst the Dutch stars who were part of the celebrations.

Messages and artistic contributions by celebrities such as Spiritual Leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, internationally acclaimed Flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Violin Maestro Dr L Subramaniam, Playback Singers Kavita Krishnamurthy and Vijay Prakash, Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, Film Stars Raadhika, Sarathkumar and Bhumika Chawla, Cricketer Suresh Raina, Tennis Stars Ramesh Krishnan and Rohan Bopanna, Yoga Guru and Artist Bharat Thakur, Olympic Ice Skater Vishwaraj Jadeja and Michelin Star Chef Vikas Khanna featured in the programme.

The program included a Kathak recital on ‘Ayush’ choreographed by Dutch Choreographer Leo Spreksel and performed by eminent Kathak Dancers Hari and Chetna with Sirisha. It also showcased Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, who have made yoga a part of their lives.

Yoga/Pranayam and Meditation Sessions were led by well known gurus like Swami Jyotirmayah,  Manish Pole, Mark Dowe, Patty Jongemaets and Marcel van de Vis Heil.

The program invited Yoga Videos on this year’s Theme of “Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family” with prizes being given for the best entry. Details of a Video Blogging Contest jointly organized by Ministry of Ayush and Indian Council for Cultural Relations were publicised during the programme.

The online celebrations commenced at 1100 Hours CET on June 21 and the video was repeated during the day for the convenience of viewers.

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