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Ajay Uprety
Ajay Uprety

YOGA DAY

Preparations in full swing as UP gears up for International Yoga Day

INDIA-HEALTH-YOGA Yoga enthusiasts practicing yoga at a park in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh ahead of International Yoga Day | AFP

The sprawling Ramabai Ambedkar Ground on the east of Lucknow is adorned with festoons, buntings, flags as last minute preparations are in full swing to host International Yoga Day on June 21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with many senior ministers, will take part in the event to be held here. Modi will be performing various yoga asana along with a crowd of 55,000 people.

According to officials hosting the events, the main programme will start around 6.30 am, but entry for participants will begin around 2.00 am and will close at 5.30 am. Participants will be allowed after a careful scrutiny of their credentials and registration. They will also be provided a yoga mat and a t-shirt.

According to Virendra Pandey, Additional District Magistrate (east), Lucknow, elaborate security arrangements have been made to make the event a grand success. Over 400 CCTV cameras have been set up on every nook and corner of the venue. Besides local cops, paramilitary force personnel and commandos will also be on strict vigil at the venue. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself has been monitoring the preparations for the event. He had earlier directed to hold workshops for participants.

The Lucknow administration has installed giant LED screens in 11 prominent parks of the city so that morning joggers could also watch the event.

The government has extended invitations to former chief ministers and prominent political leaders to take part in the event. Various parallel yoga sessions will also be performed, including the participation of around 90,000 prisoners in various jails of the state, to make the event a success.

According to Jai Kumar Singh, minister of state for jail and public service management, this is being done to develop a positive thinking among the prisoners.

About 1,000 Army personnel are also expected to take part in the mega event. According to Lt. Colonel T.P. Dinesh, who is the in-charge of Army personnel participation, practice sessions had been held for the participants in the past few weeks and there is a lot of excitement among them.

Besides Lucknow, in Varanasi, the PM’s constituency, arrangements have been made to observe Yoga Day. The Varanasi Municipal Corporation is the nodal agency for holding this event, which will be held in Dr. Sampurnanda Stadium in the heart of the city. The local administration has named it Kashi Yog festival.

According to Shrihari Pratap Shahi, municipal commissioner, practice sessions in this regard have been going on for more than three weeks at 90 prominent points in Varanasi. Bollywood stars such as Shilpa Shetty are likely to participate in the event.

UP and the Centre have put in a lot of energy to make the PM’s programme a high-decibel event. Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Shripad Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were personally involved in finalising the event.

Interestingly, members of the Muslim community too are likely to take part in this mega event. “Keeping aside the differences of religion and faith, this kind of participation by our community will give a good message,” said Muneer Alam, a local of Lucknow.

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Topics : #yoga | #Uttar Pradesh

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