Yoga Day begins in UK at banks of Thames

LONDON: The International Yoga Day today began in the UK at the bank of Thames, as hundreds gathered across cities to celebrate the day as Prime Minister David Cameron said he was pleased to see the enthusiasm among the practitioners of the ancient Indian exercise.

"The UK is pleased to support International Yoga Day. "We were one of 177 countries to vote in favour of Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi's proposal and we are pleased to see the enthusiasm with which it is being embraced, both in UK and around the world," Cameron said in his message.

The UN adopted an India-led resolution declaring June 21 as 'International Day of Yoga' in December last year, less than three months after Modi proposed the idea.

As Modi commemorates the day in India, in the UK the day witnessed celebrations organised by over 30 yoga and India- focussed cultural institutions all across the country.

The main event on the bank of the river Thames in London marked the launch of other smaller events across various cities this morning.

It was held at Bernie-Spain Garden, on the South Bank of Thames, and commenced with the lighting of a lamp followed by speeches and exercises and included a lecture by eminent ecologist and philosopher Satish Kumar titled 'Yoga - The Way of Life'.

The event was organised by the Indian High Commission and the Government of India Tourist Office in collaboration with the British Wheel of Yoga, Sivananda Vedanta Centre and Art of Living Foundation.