Ooty: When the clock ticked 5 pm on Monday evening with the south west monsoon winds and cloud shrouding the hills here, 38 guests of India hailing from 21 overseas country landed at the 190 year old Savoy-IHCL SeleQtions hotel here to take some lessons on yoga on the lawns in the hotel. These guests were invited by the Indian government for the "International day of Yoga Mega Fam Tour". The foreigners began with the surya namaskar along with chanting of Om.
Stating that the Ooty hills are scenic with cool weather, Mr.Armenak Armen Menechyan from California in USA, a yoga teacher in the USA, said that though yoga is being practiced in the western countries, yoga techniques and methodologies in India are real and authentic.
"Many people in the western world have begun to show interest in yoga now as they realize that it leads to a healthy life," he added.
Ms.Dorothy Rondeau, a professional in a travel agency in Canada said that cultures, traditions and food styles are different in different parts of India when one travels from the north to the south. "Indian people are friendly, kind, hospitable and respect others. Withso many different cultures, Indians live in harmony. Unity in diversity can be experienced in India. It is a lovely country to visit for tourists to learn about different cultures as well as the rich ancient history and traditions," she noted.
Mr Shreevats Sanjay, Regional Director (South), union ministry of tourism, said that this tour is being organized on the International Day of Yoga to stress on what India has to offer to the outside world on the wellness and health frontier.
