MUMBAI: Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India inaugurated Mumbai’s first Yoga garden on March 29, 2018.
The Garden, situated at Bandra Reclamation Sea link Promenade, is an ONGC CSR project created with the aim of increasing public awareness about Yoga as a means of healthy holistic lifestyle.
Pradhan highlighted that today Yoga is a lifestyle solution across the world and said that ONGC has always supported Yoga not only in the celebration of International Yoga Day but also among its employees through various programmes. He hoped that the promenade would become a permanent fixture in the tourist circuit of the city and a matter of pride for Mumbai.
Shashi Shanker, CMD, ONGC reiterated ONGC’s commitment towards playing a vital role in nation building. He said that ONGC has supported various CSR initiatives across the country and hoped that this one-of-a-kind CSR project added another feather to Mumbai’s cityscape.
The creation and design of the garden by USA Green Building Council and Indian Green Building council certified consultant addresses environmental concerns like soil erosion, ensuring highway embankment soil stabilization, rainwater harvesting, besides protecting an important public space and preventing its misuse.
The site is a part of a larger promenade which is frequently used by more than 3 lakh local residents and viewed by more 50,000 people every day who pass by the area. The project is being executed by Ravindra Joshi Medical Foundation, a charitable organization engaged in health related social causes.
The aesthetic highlights of the garden are the Vertical Gardens, created on the embankment incorporating indigenous native plants to enhance the soothing visual appeal and seven Yoga postures depicted with visual lighting on the Vertical Gardens. A 15 feet tall statue of Patanjali, the first yoga exponent who documented Yoga sutras, (the basis of yoga asanas) in “Padmasana” posture, has been placed at the centre of the garden.
