All roads in Chandigarh would lead to the Capitol Complex on June 21, the International Day of Yoga, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi shall be leading, perhaps the biggest ever mass display of yoga exercises. Officials are aiming to beat the Guinness world record, set last year during the first International Day of Yoga on Raj Path and India Gate.
A total of 35,985 persons had participated in 2015, and nearly 89,000 have enrolled themselves this year to be part of the event. However, given the limitations of the sprawling Capitol Complex, spread over an area of 12 lakh square yards, not all can be accommodated at the venue. Others would simultaneously practise yoga at about 180 venues, which would be linked through real time display of the event at the Complex.
Emphasis on ‘Made in India’
In order to avoid controversies associated with the first International Day of Yoga in Delhi last year, precaution has been taken to see that yoga mats, T-shirts and other memorabilia associated with the event is ‘Made in India’, and does not owe credit to China, as was done last year. A condition in the tender floated for the items clearly states: “All the items such as T-shirts, yoga mat, green mat, banners, water bottles, ang vastaras, bags, etc. shall be made in India and the agency shall have to give certification on this account”.
Incidentally, a mascot has been prepared for the mega event depicting a Mongoose in yoga mudra. Mongoose (nevla) is the state animal of UT Chandigarh and is mainly known for its fight with snakes.
All Hands on Deck
Preparations for the mega event have been on from the last two months, with the officials of the Union Territory of Chandigarh trying hard to make the event a successful one. The event is being organised by the union ministry of Ayush in collaboration with the Punjab and Haryana governments which share Chandigarh as their capital. The central ministry has released a grant of Rs 8 crore for the event.
The Special Protection Group (SPG) commandoes and Ayush ministry officials along with those from the PMO have been breathing down the necks of the officials belonging to the state. All other work has virtually come to a halt in government offices.
The administration has been asked to make arrangements for 300 toilets, 100 ushers, an equal number of guards and 40 LED screens. Provision is also being made for aerial photography as the prime minister would be performing asanas during the worldwide telecast of the event by Doordarshan and other private channels.
Promotion of the Mega Event
Capitol Complex, designed by French architect Le Corbusier, comprises the buildings of the civil secretariat housing offices of Punjab and Haryana government, the legislative assemblies of the two states, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The cemented piazza joining these buildings also sports the Open Hand Monument. Modi had escorted French President Francois Hollande to this complex, on his way to the Republic Day function this year.
In the run-up to the event hundreds of special camps are being organised in different parts of the city, and all educational institutions and government offices are being prodded to be a part of this exercise.
Also as a part of the build-up for the mega event, a four-day long Chandigarh Yoga Festival is being organised at the Sukhna lake which will see Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and yoga guru Ramdev participating. For the first time, a three-dimensional (3D) projection of yoga exercises would be displayed on a 16-feet high structure. Another highlight of the festival would be a display of ‘moonlight yoga’ at the Parade Ground and an academic conclave ‘Yoga for good life’. In yet another event there would be a yoga display through Bharatnatyam. All eyes are now set on June 21 to see how the gala event unfolds.
(The writer is a senior journalist based in Chandigarh)
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