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A special event for labourers

Abu Dhabi - The event at Bright Riders School Abu Dhabi saw more than 2,000 workers.

Thousands of workers in Abu Dhabi got a chance to join the International Yoga Day celebrations in the Mussafah industrial area on Friday.
Realising that the International Day of Yoga falls on working day, some cultural associations - Science India Forum Abu Dhabi chapter, Malayali Arab Cultural Society and Mussafah Art Society - joined hands to help workers become part of the initiative on their off day. The event at Bright Riders School Abu Dhabi saw more than 2,000 workers from various accommodations crowding the school auditorium and ground for practising yoga.
"I was surprised when we were told about such an event. This is such an unheard initiative to host yoga for us workers. I like to practise yoga but hardly get any time and this event has helped me rethink about doing yoga regularly," a Mussafah-based worker said.
A worker from Baniyas said he has learnt a lot about the benefits of practising yoga after attending the event. "I feel different and much lively," he said.
Nouf Marwai, Saudi Arabia's first certified yoga instructor and chairperson of Arab Yoga Foundation, led the yoga proceedings. She explained each and every postures and highlighted that yoga is an important medicine that heals people.
"Today I am promoting yoga in the Gulf region," said Nouf, who was also the chief guest. Community leader BR Shetty said he was blessed to see such a sight of mass attendance for the event.
"Thanks to yoga that as a 75-year-old, I am standing in front of you. I am so proud that a Saudi national is practising and promoting yoga," Shetty, who is also the chairman of Bright Riders School, said. He promised that such initiatives would become a calendar event at the school.
There was celebrity attraction with the presence of Indian actress Priyanka Nair, who is also a yoga practitioner.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com