On a cool breezy Sunday morning, June 24, 2018, the Consulate General of India in Atlanta in collaboration with the City of Sandy Springs and 50 plus community Organizations celebrated the 4th International Day of Yoga 2018 (IDY 2018) at the Heritage Park, Sandy Springs, from 7.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. Consul General of India,Hon.Nagesh Singh, his wife Pragjna Singh, Consul Shailesh Lakhtakia graced and inaugurated the event, which was attended by over 1,000 yoga practitioners from all walks of life.

Nagesh Singh lighting Diya

The event was inaugurated by traditional lighting of the diya (lamp) by Nagesh Singh, Pragjna Singh, Consul Shailesh Lakhtakia, and core team members Rajan Vedak, Viral Trivedi, and Rajiv Menon. About a thousand yoga enthusiasts, including children of all age groups, foreigners and physically challenged, donning tee shirts with 4th IDY logo rolled their mats on the lawns. Founding member of idyatlanta.org, Ajay Houde welcomed all and requested anyone seeking medical help to contact Dr.Nadig and Trushna Rao at the Med.safety booth. “Today is the 4th International Day of Yoga. The IDY has been unanimously supported by 170 nations and is being celebrated globally. Atlanta is celebrating it today.”

Deputy Counsel Shailesh warmly welcomed all and said it was heartening that 4th IDY in Atlanta had maximum participation in the region. .”Ever since the U.N.voted and 170 members cosponsoring 21st June as International Day of yoga, this event has been going on from strength to strength. We welcome the participation of our younger generation because we feel that they should develop positivity, have good mind and body and move on in life. In addition to support from 50 Atlanta organizations, a few non-organizations as well have lent their support. I must thank the City of Sandy Springs who have been kind enough all these years to support this event. We must thank the Police and other supporting agencies.”(applause)

In the video message, India’s Prime Min.Narendra Modi ji hailed yoga as one of the most precious gifts given by the ancient sages to humankind. ”It is said in the Gita that yoga is a state of equilibrium and equanimity Yoga is not just a set of exercises that keeps the body fit. It is a passport to health assurance, a key to fitness and wellness. Free from illness, a path to wellness that is the path of yoga because it teaches us to see others as the same as ourselves. .When we understand ourselves we become ready to form a constructive bond with the society at large, a bond of oneness with our families, with society we live in, with fellow humans, all the birds, animals, bees with whom we share our beautiful planet. Thus yoga is a journey from ‘me’ to the ‘we’. People suffer from stress –related illnesses and also lifestyle- related diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Stress and depression have become silent killers. Yoga offers a sol' Jun-29-2018