Over 700 people took part in a yoga event in Trafalgar Square ahead of International Yoga Day. The event was organised by the Indian High Commission in the UK.

After being adopted by the United Nations, International Yoga Day is celebrated across the world every year on 21st June.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami said, “It is a great pleasure for us to have over 700 people in this central location of London. It has iconic statues all around it. And of course, many yoga schools have come here and guided us in the practice of yoga.”

He also highlighted that people from all sections of society joined in London, “which is what our Prime Minister said that yoga connects everyone and yoga is for everyone.”

When asked what is different this year, Indian Ambassador Doraiswamy said that this year there are more participants, additional yoga schools, and a greater diversity of communities.

However, the main focus remains on yoga’s role in healing and personal growth rather than on changes in participation.

“It’s different in the sense that there are more people here than before; we have more yoga schools affiliated with us; and in a way, there is a greater diversity of communities here,” Doraiswamy said on Saturday.

He said, “But the idea was not to do something different; the idea was to continue yoga as a means of healing and as a means of growth.”

Speaking to news agency ANI, Hirdesh Gupta, co-founder of the Indian Community in the UK, said, “We are here today to celebrate the 10th International Yoga Day organised by the Indian High Commission at Trafalgar Square. Many people have joined here today to celebrate yoga. We want to thank Prime Minister Modi for recognising yoga at the United Nations. Now, everyone is adopting yoga and making it a part of their daily lives.”

The theme of this year’s event was “Women Empowerment”.