Various events held in Aus to mark International Day of Yoga

The second International Day of Yoga was celebrated across major Australian cities including Canberra and Melbourne with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hailing yoga as one of India's gifts to the world.

Turnbull commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for supporting global peace and well-being and described the ancient practice of yoga as one of India's gifts to the world and acknowledged its aim to develop resilience,thoughtfulness, respect and harmony, towards each other and the world.

Turnbull's message was read out by Indian High Commissioner Navdeep Suri at a special programme organised at the historic Old Parliament building in Canberra which marked the start of a week-long celebration of Yoga in all major cities of Australia.

Over 250 Australians and members of Australian Indian community gathered in Canberra for a Mass Yoga Practice conducted by Yoga Australia teachers from the Australian Capital Territory.

Interative sessions on Yoga and meditations were conducted which were attended by many people including Gai Brodtmann MP, Federal Member for Canberra, senior government officials, diplomats, professionals, students, yoga enthusiasts from various schools as well as members of the Indian community in Canberra.

Welcoming the participants, Suri told the participants that their presence was a testimony to the growing popularity and acceptance of Yoga and its effectiveness in addressing a broad range century ailments ranging from hypertension and diabetes to stress and anxiety.

"By participating in the second International Day of Yoga, we have all become contributors to an unprecedented global effort to promote Yoga beyond its ancient origins in India and to transform it into a universal gift that can benefit humanity at large," he said.

In Melbourne, several participants from all walks of life attended the Yoga day celebrations which started yesterday in Town Hall of Richmond suburb.

Melbourne's Consul general Manika Jain, Australian marathon runner Samantha Gash, chairperson of Victorian Multicultrual commission Helen Kapalos apart from several other dignitories were present during the occassion.

The attendees discussed the benefits of yoga and how it was reflecting benefits in the personal lives followed by yoga sessions.

 For the first time Yoga day is also being celebrated in the state parliaments of Victoria and New South Wales.

In New South Wales, Hindu Council of Australia will organise the Yoga Day in the state Parliament on Thursday while on Tuesday, India Australia Exchange Forum will hold the event inside the Victorian Parliament.