How China is planning to celebrate Yoga Day
With hostility refusing to ebb between India and China over the issue of New Delhi's entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), it seems both nations need a bit of yogic breakthrough.
China might not be too keen on supporting India's bid to the NSG, but the Dragon has wholeheartedly embraced the Elephant's soft power, it seems.
Ahead of the second International Day of Yoga (June 21), thousands of Chinese have descended in Duijangyan, an ancient city in southwestern Sichuan province, considered the home of ancient Chinese martial arts form Tai Chi, for what is being called as the "largest yoga event outside India".
A five-day yoga camp in Dujiangyan will attract close to 5,000 Chinese yoga practitioners, India Today reported.
In fact, yoga has become a way for life for lakhs of young Chinese people with numerous yoga schools opening across the country. India has arranged for a dozen top yoga gurus to give lessons.
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| Iyengar yoga teacher Zubin holds a yoga lesson. (Picture: Anantha Krishnan) |
Yoga's popularity in China has become a powerful link between New Delhi and Beijing, and these celebrations can help to improve ties, at least culturally, between the two countries.