Media

A large gathering of around 3000 people participated in a whole day wellness festival organized by the Embassy of India on Sunday, June 17 at the prestigious Museumplein, Amsterdam to mark the International Yoga Day.  The event inaugurated by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management of the Netherlands, Ms. Cora van Nieuwenhuizen; spiritual guru His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar; and Mr.Venu Rajamony, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands was marked by many firsts. It was the first time yoga was being celebrated in Amsterdam, the biggest city and national capital of the Netherlands. It was also the first time such a major Indian event was being held in the prestigious venue of the Museumplein in front of the Rijksmuseum (national museum). It was the largest yoga celebrations to be organized in the Netherlands till date and the first event to witness participation of a Minister of the Dutch government and a leading spiritual guru from India namely Guruji Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. A large number of Dutch and Indian dignitaries as well as Ambassadors of many countries also took part in the celebrations and the mass yoga demonstrations.

The grand finale was a performance titled “The Soul Shanti Concert,” by violin maestro Dr. L. Subramaniam and Bollywood playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy which enthralled and captivated a large audience of around 1500 people who sat on the lawns of the Museumplein.  The concert was a perfect culmination to the whole day of festivities promoting wellness, healthy eating, yoga and meditation.