CG of India in Chicago organizes Yoga Day

Chicago, IL -June 24, Third International Yoga was celebrated with large numbers of people from different ethnicity majority including Indian Americans along with family members participated in Yoga at Naperville Yard, Naperville.

This year has super seeded all the previous celebration and spreading the awareness and usefulness of Yoga in healthy mind and body.
The event was organized under the leadership of Consul General of India in Chicago, Ms. Neeta Bhushan. The event was organized in tandem with City of Naperville and many esteem organizations of Chicagoland area which included – National Bankcard, Air India, State Bank of India, Gayatri Mandir, Sewa International, Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Brahma Kumaris, Science of Spirituality and many other more than 30 organizations.
This year the Yoga day was celebrated by many other organizations in their premises too which included Balaji Temple at Aurora and Sant Nirankari Mission at Naperville.
The event started on time with traditional lamp lighting ceremony by Consul General Ms. Bhushan and other dignitaries. National anthem of India and USA were also sung by participants. In her opening remark by Consul General she emphasized that Yoga spreads the strong message of health, happiness and peace across the globe. She also added that “June 21st was declared as day of International Yoga Day through UN resolution supported by 177 countries”. She conveyed that yoga was a great way to connect to oneself and achieve a healthy balance between the mind and body. “People are losing their health consciousness, but yoga is one way to get it back”, Ms. Neeta Bhushan said and added that yoga helps people in attaining harmony within themselves as well with other members of the community. She also mentioned that Yoga helps people in maintaining balance among their thoughts, emotions, and feelings, and thereby improving their effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity. Ms. Bhushan expressed her gratitude to the city of Naperville, the dignitaries, participating organizations, and community members for taking an active part in the celebration of the Third International Yoga Day.
The Prime Minister Modi and Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj also connected to participants through video message from India and was part of opening ceremony.
Yoga is being celebrated for the last three years internationally with the efforts of Mr. Modi and his team. Yoga events create awareness and benefits of Yoga to one and all. Yoga which was formulated by Lord Krishna and is existence for more than 2500 years and is mentioned in Vedas and other books of that time.
The city of Naperville issued a proclamation for June 24, 2017, as International Yoga Day. Many officials from City of Naperville including Mayor, Congressman Roskam, Mayor of Oakbrook Mr. Lalmalani, Swami Vishwangji
And many other Yoga experts from different organizations and different walks of life participated in the event.
After opening ceremony, Yoga demonstration by volunteers from the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. Demonstration of common asanas (postures), breathing techniques and shanti mantra were also recited for the benefit of the participant. There were breakout sessions of chair yoga for people who have mobility challenges, kids’ yoga, women’s yoga, and age-based yoga for different generational groups.
Swami Gaur Gopal Das, in his address added that Yoga practised by Yogi who do experiment on their life for the benefits of society and mankind – “Yogi is the one who is Upyogi to other” at the same tune Yoga benefits to one and all, it can be done anytime anywhere, does not require any equipment or specific place. Many speakers put forward their thoughts on Nutrition, and Weight Loss through Yoga.

The event also included the fusion of Yoga with Bollywood songs and dances creating the energy and getting warmed up for the Yoga. Cultural Programs, Games, Family, and Kids’ Activities were also organized for keeping all the interest alive for people of different age group and taste.
People had thronged the venue since morning and tasted the sumptuous free food offered by the different restaurant. The day at Naperville Yard on June 24th was made memorable by the great team of Consulate General Office in Chicago. This experience has made people present to wait for the event next year.
Hi India team seek out the experience by the participants – Only one voice, one comment was everywhere- Memorable Event – one to follow and participate year after yea – This was the spirit, this was the excitement, this was the organizing skill by Consulate General – made us spellbound. In true sense she is the guardian of Indian Community here in Chicagoland.