Anti-Trafficking Asana

On 13 March, at least 1,500 yogis from 20 countries rolled out their yoga mats and performed the Surya Namaskar to raise awareness against human trafficking.

On 13 March, at least 1,500 yogis from 20 countries rolled out their yoga mats and performed the Surya Namaskar to raise awareness against human trafficking. Participating countries included England, France, Spain, Italy, USA, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, Thailand and Japan. Odanadi Seva Trust, a Mysore-based organisation working against human trafficking, organised the event called Yoga Stops Traffick. According to Odanadi, each day around 200 females become victims of human trafficking. At the Mysore Palace, residents of the Odanadi rehabilitation centre joined people worldwide in the Surya Namaskar. Says Sarah Harris, Committee member of Odanadi UK, “The women, used to being marginalised, looked down upon, and cast aside, were overwhelmed to see the support of professionals, politicians etcetera.” Odanadi enjoys the support of UK celebrities like Peaches Geldof, Elle Macpherson and MP Virendra Sharma of Indian origin. The MP has even invited Odanadi’s founders, Stanley KV and Parashuram ML, as guests of honour to the House of Lords and House of Commons in England.

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