Yoga enthusiasts joined together at Amrita School of Business (ASB) on 21 June, 2015 to mark the first International Yoga Day. As many as 192 countries joined hands to celebrate the day around the world. ASB ensured the celebrations to reach beyond its borders by making the celebrations open to public.

The day kicked off with a prayer and lighting of lamp at Sri Krishna Hall in the campus. Dr. Sanjay Banerji, Founder Director and Professor Emeritus, ASB addressed the crowd reminding that ‘Creator and creation are one’.

Sri. Ram Mohan Menon, former Chief People’s Officer at INATECH, Bangalore was the Chief Guest for the day. Besides giving a speech on Yoga and its deep relevance in one’s daily life, Mr. Menon elucidated and explained Yoga as a tool for inner transformation and why it is necessary to undertake Yoga as a way of life. Through an interactive session, he urged the participants to know and realize themselves beyond the shackles of society.

Dr. P. Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham quickly guided the gathering through the four practices prescribed by Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi to be performed to mark the first International Yoga Day– 12 minutes Ma Om Meditation, four Asanas to be practiced for two minutes, a calm nature walk to purify the mind, and finally, contemplation on the mind-body connection for ten minutes.

Thereafter, Amritapuri Ashram’s yoga instructor Ms. Gitamba narrated her story as to how she came to India, how she got attracted to Amma, how she took to Yoga and ended with a brief meditative practice for the audience, and a beautiful song at the end.

Sri. C. S. Udhayakumar, Associate Professor, ASB also presided over the function and addressed the audience.

Entertainment Events

Entertainment events further added colors to the celebrations. Ms. Gayathri. V, Faculty Associate, Department of Computer Science, Coimbatore campus performed a heart-warming classical art form Mohiniyattam at the function and brought tears in the eyes of many participants.

Three girl students, Rajeshwari, Indhumathi and Darshana, from Amrita School of Engineering demonstrated a number of advanced yogasanas, which were thrilling to watch.

Vishnu Tharavath, a second year student of ASB, Coimbatore sang a couple of Kirtanas that lifted the audience to sublime heights.

The Chief Guest of the day Sri Ram Mohan Menon gave away certificates for the performers and congratulated them all.

The celebrations ended with distribution of sweets.