Zhenjiang (in Jiangsu province) became the third city in Eastern China today to host a grand curtain raiser event to launch the celebration of the 3^rd International Day of Yoga (IDY), which was jointly organized by Consulate General of India, Shanghai along with Zhenjiang Municipal People’s Government.

2. The curtain raiser event to 3^rd IDY was launched at the Zhenjiang Sports Exchange Center and nearly 1000 yoga lovers from all over Zhenjiang city, including several Indian students from Jiangsu University, participated in the Yoga celebrations. It may be noted that in the Eastern China Region, the 3^rd IDY celebrations would be organized across twelve cities in Eastern China from 17 – 25 June, with each city hosting a mass public yoga session with at least 1000 people.

3. The IDY launch in Zhenjiang was graced by Mr. Zhang Puxiong, Chairman of Zhenjiang Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries. Mr. Zhang Guoyun, Director General of Zhenjiang Foreign Affairs Office, welcoming the 3^rd IDY celebrations in Zhenjiang recalled the deep cultural bonding between India and Zhenjiang, which further received impetus by the hosting of the India Culture Week in Zhenjiang in April 2017, during which a series of Indian cultural dances, Indian Film Festival and Food Festival were organized. He underscored that Yoga could promote healthy life styles amongst Zhenjiang residents, and that all participants should adopt it as a way of life in their daily schedules.

4. Consulate General of India Shanghai had arranged through local resources a Chinese speaking Indian Yoga teacher, who conducted the Yoga session for the nearly 1000 Yoga practitioners, based on the Common Yoga Protocol sent by the Department of AYUSH. The event was extremely well received by the large number of Yoga following community in Zhenjiang, with a large number of members of local yoga clubs from Zhenjiang also turning up to participate in the event.

5. It may be noted that in the Eastern China region, 3^rd IDY celebrations are being organized by CGI Shanghai from 17 - 25 June, one day each across twelve cities in ECR, with theme of “Ten cities, Ten Days, bringing together 15000 Yoga Lovers closer to India – promoting healthy and harmonious lifestyles”!

6. Each of the venues chosen in the ten cities, i.e. Zhenjiang (was held today), Lishui (held on 10 June), Wuyi (held on 19 May), Huzhou (held on 20 May), Hangzhou (17 June), Wenzhou (18 June), Shanghai (21 June), Suqian (23 June), Xuzhou (23 June), Taizhou (24 June) and Wuxi (25 June), will be at prestigious open public spaces with participation from at least 1000 people at each venue.

7. The grand finale will be held on 25 June 2017 in Wuxi at the foothills of the scenic Lingshan Temple, where nearly TEN THOUSAND Yoga Lovers are expected to participate in a record setting event in mainland China.

Zhenjiang (Jiangsu)

11 June 2017