Charles celebrates Indian culture as Camilla speaks out on violence
HE IS a long-time advocate of complementary medicine and his wife is a follower of yoga, so Prince Charles was among friends when he put his name to the plaque for the UK’s first centre of excellence for Indian traditional medicine.
Charles and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, unveiled it during a visit to London’s Science Museum to celebrate Anglo-Indian ties in technology, the arts and sport.
The centre of excellence, which will open later this year in London, will undertake research into the effects of yoga, traditional medicine and the ancient mind-body health system known as Ayurveda.
Charles spoke about his interest in Asian medicine after watching Arunima Kumar Dance, a group of traditional Indian performers named after their choreographer. Ms Kumar said: “The Prince asked about our hand gestures and when I told them they were not only expressive but have wellness properties, he said he was interested in Ayurveda.”
Meanwhile, Camilla, at the closing session of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, addressed what she said was the “corrosive silence” surrounding domestic abuse. “In a room this size, with over 300 women here, we know that some of you will also have suffered or perhaps be suffering domestic abuse, and all too often in silence,” the Duchess said.
“I hope very much that today might mark a moment when we start to pull back that shroud of silence.”
She added: “Domestic abuse remains a hidden problem in our society. It is characterised by silence from those who suffer, silence from those around them and silence from those who perpetrate abuse.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, used a Commonwealth Youth Forum reception to speak out in support of gender equality issues, with Miss Markle saying the subject was about “basic human rights”.
Chatting to young people in the Commonwealth Equality Network, Ms Markle stressed the importance of its work challenging inequality on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Australian Jacob Thomas, who works with the Network, said: “She really laid down the key point that it’s not just about love and sexuality. It’s also about being here and recognising us for the benefit of all.”