Sri Sri at European Parliament - April 21, 2015
Unique discussion forum on yoga with global humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at European Parliament in Brussels on April 21, 2015 as a curtain raiser to the newly declared International Day of Yoga Brussels, 17 April 2015.
For the first time since the United Nations declared 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with India supported by members from all the political groups will bring this much-awaited topic on its agenda in Brussels. The event titled “The Yoga Way” will be addressed by founder of the Art of Living, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who has been invited for a keynote address on yoga. He will speak on Yoga besides guiding a meditation and leading a question and answer session.
“It is the first time that this topic is being brought to the European Parliament by one of the most recognized ambassadors of yoga, just after the Government of India has set up a dedicated ministry for the promotion of yoga and ayurveda” the Ambassador of India to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg Manjeev Singh Puri says. ‘The Yoga Way’ is being officially hosted by the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with India and endorsed by eleven members of European Parliament. “It is the first time ever that an event has found resonance amongst members from all the seven political groups of the European Parliament.” said Geoffrey Van Orden, Chair of the Delegation. “It is a proud moment to all of us in the European Parliament to host this curtain raiser event on Yoga ahead of the actual celebrations on 21 June” said Nirj Deva, a Sri Lankan origin member of European Parliament.
Over the years, The Art of Living has been actively engaged in promoting good health and has taken the ancient knowledge of yoga across the globe. The organisation has successfully been conducting ‘Yogathons’ which has attracted audiences world-wide. This unique event aimed at promoting the multiple health benefits of Yoga has garnered huge response from people from all walks of life and was attended by 1.29 million in 2012 followed by 1.8 million in 2014, in locations ranging from schools, colleges, parks, stadiums, prisons, and rehabilitation centers to malls, orphanages and clubs. The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Resolution in December 2014 designating 21 June as the ‘International Day of Yoga’.