Consulate General of India
Jaffna
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Press Release
International Day of Yoga-2019 and Vegetarian Food Festival
1. The Consulate General of India in Jaffna in association with the Ministry of Education, Cultural Affairs, Sports and Youth Affairs of the Northern Province observed the fifth International Day of Yoga (IDY) today (21.06.2019) in all schools of the Northern Province covering over 2 lakh students.
2. The Consulate organised a special event to mark the day at Vembady Girls’ High School in Jaffna. The Northern Province Governor H.E. Dr.Suren Raghavan graced the occasion as the Chief Guest with Mr.C.V.K.Sivagnanam, Hon’ble Chairman of the Northern Provincial Council, His Worshipful Mayor Mr.Arnold and Former Education Minister Dr.Kandaiah Sarveswaran as Special Guests at the function. Mr.Sathyaseelan, Education Secretary, Mr.Elangovan, Secretary to the Governor, Senior officials of the Consulate, School Vice Principal, teachers and over 1500 students participated in the function.
3. Consul General Balachandran welcomed the guests and read out the IDY message of Indian Prime Minister Modi. The Governor talked of the three yogas prescribed in the Bhagvad Gita and said realising the God within us was the chief goal of Yoga. Consul General Balachandran presented a Coffee Table Book on Yoga, a digital copy of the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi and an Indian classical Music album to the Governor. All participants including the Chief Guest and the Special Guests performed yogasnas along with the students.
4. Coinciding with the IDY, the Consulate also organised a ‘Vegetarian Food Festival’ at Jetwing Jaffna Hotel and offered a vegetarian lunch to about 80 invitees this day (21 June 2019) as a part of series of celebrations marking Gandhi@150. Dr.Jebanamaganesan of Jaffna Govt. Siddha Hospital spoke on the importance of the Vegetarian Food, so dear to Mahatma Gandhi. NP Governor Dr.Suren Raghavan, NPC Chairman CVK Sivagnanam, City Mayor Arnold, Former Education Minister Dr.Sarveswaran, religious leaders, military and police officers, academics, dignitaries and Consulate officials took part in the festival in support of the cause.
Some photographs taken on the occasion are enclosed.Jaffna
21 June 2019
