Third International Day of Yoga Celebrated With Fervor
by the Consulate
General of India in Atlanta

By Mahadev Desai
Pics.by:ByteGraph Creations and SFA Productions. Vinod Sharma
On a cool breezy Sunday morning, June 25, 2017, the Consulate General of
India in Atlanta in collaboration with the City of Sandy Springs and 50 plus
community Organizations celebrated the 3rd International Day of Yoga 2017 (IDY
2017) at the Heritage Park, Sandy Springs, from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Consul Mr. D.V. Singh,(Head of Chancery),CGI,Atlanta, Mayor Rusty Paul of
Sandy Springs City Council, Gurudev Amrit Desai of AmritYoga and Shri
Saumitra Gokhale, Global Coordinator, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh,USA, graced
and inaugurated the event, which was attended by over 700 yoga practitioners
from all walks of life.
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Diya Lighting. Pic.by SFA Productions.Vinod Sharma |
The event was inaugurated by traditional lighting of the diya (lamp) by
Mr.D.V.Singh, with Mr. Rusty Paul and Shri Amrit Desai. Mr.D.V.Singh warmly
welcomed all and in his brief remarks highlighted the importance of yoga and
acceptability of yoga across the globe. Yoga creates environment for
universal peace, brother-hood, harmony and well-being, he said. Mayor Rusty
Paul also addressed the participants “It is a privilege to welcome Yoga Day
participants to Sandy Springs for a third year. The skies have cleared and
temperatures cooled creating the perfect setting to reflect and meditate.
Our city is home to a culturally diverse collection of people, many of whom
we see gathered here at Heritage. I want to thank the Indian Consulate for
their hospitality in bringing such a welcoming event to our community.”

There has been a worldwide upsurge of interest in Yoga and meditation.
Around three hundred million people are practicing Yoga asanas; pranayama,
meditation etc. worldwide including one hundred million in India. The United
Nations General Assembly has declared June 21 as the International Day of
Yoga, following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’ address to UN General
Assembly on September 27, 2014 wherein he stated: “Yoga is an invaluable
gift of India’s ancient tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body;
thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and
nature; a holistic approach to health and well-being. It is not about
exercise but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and
the nature. ” The International Day of Yoga is celebrated annually the world
over by India Consulates in collaboration with other Organizations.
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Mr.D.V.Singh, Mr.Rusty Paul, Gurudev, Amrit Desai and
Volunteers. By SFA Productions. Vinod Sharma |
The enthusiastic and cheerful attendees rolled out their yoga mats and after
invocation, joined in performing the Common Yoga Protocol followed at the
IDY. Led by a few seasoned yoga volunteers, they did warm up practices,
standing & sitting asanas (postures); Sitting, Prone, Supine asanas
(postures); Kapala Bhati & Pranayama (Breath altering practices); Dhyana
(Meditation) and Sankalpa (Commitment to the truth).This was followed with
Yoga Namaskar; Hatha Yoga; Surya Namaskar; guided meditation and songs and
dances for peace.
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NNKB Students in Yoga-themed Dance |
Students of Nritya Natya Kala Bharti Dance and Music Academy presented a
scintillating Kathak fusion item, choreographed by Assistant Director Samta
Savla, which signified the strength and importance of the sun to yoga and
dance.
The program concluded with the closing invocation.
The event was supported by sponsors and voluntary contributions by various
business and professional entities including Kroger, Austell International
Farmers Market, Suvidha, SIMSAM LLC.

The following organizations put their booths - Sewa, HSS, Amrit Yoga, Sahaj
Yoga, Isha Yoga, Art of Living, Heartfulness Meditation and Raksha along
with lot of individuals. The event gave a big opportunity for Sponsors and
Organizers to share their offering with the Yoga enthusiasts.

More than 100 volunteers put enormous efforts to make this program a grand
success.Very effective use of social media was made to publicise the IDY and
also to exhort the community to attend it. The India Consulate,Atlanta and
Sudhir Agarwal;Rajan Vedak, Ajay Houde, Rajeev Menon, and Jaideep to mention
a few did a commendable job in ensuring a flawless and memorable celebration
of the 3rd IDY.