Yoga on ice: India to offer classes during Davos summit

Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s delegation to the World Economic Forum at Davos will offer yoga classes on the icy slopes, the foreign ministry said on Friday, the latest high-profile attempt to promote India’s traditions abroad.

Workers fix a banner on the frontage of the congress centre, the venue of the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos, Switzerland on January 18.(REUTERS)

India aims to showcase its potential as a driver of global economic growth, after China, as well as its soft power, reflected in the popularity of yoga as well as its cuisine.

Two yoga teachers from India will hold daily classes next week at the summit, which has attracted 70 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump as well as celebrities, chief executives and top bankers.

PM Modi will be the first Indian prime minister to attend the WEF in 21 years, since when the economy has more than doubled to $2.3 trillion and become the world’s seventh largest.

He will deliver the keynote address at the plenary session.

Providing details of Indian engagement in Davos, Ramesh Abhishek, head of the department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP), said we will offer yoga classes everyday.

DIPP is also hosting a welcome reception for the WEF members on January 22 where 1,500 people are expected to come.

“We will showcase India’s progress while also giving a taste of our exquisite cuisine and Indian culture and heritage,” Abhishek said.

“We will also set up an India Lounge in Davos,” Abhishek added.

Desi cuisine and yoga will mark the start of the five-day annual jamboree of the rich and powerful from across the world in the snow-laden Swiss ski resort town of Davos. This is the first time India will host the welcome reception at the summit.

The Indian presence is set to be the largest-ever with as many as six Union ministers, two chief ministers, several top government officials and over 100 CEOs, figuring among the registered participants.

The official sessions at the WEF will also have special India-focused discussions including one on “India’s role in the world”, how it is rethinking economics with the use of big data in policymaking and the country’s role in securing peace and stability in the Asian century.

PM Modi will be in Davos only for a day but will meet the heads and top officials of about 60 companies, Abhishek said, adding that these included Airbus, Hitachi, IBM , BAE Systems and the Carlyle Group.