City basking in Yoga fervour
Massive preparations underway at Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan where the PM and CM will perform Yoga with 51,000 enthusiasts
is in the air, with thousands of Lucknowites practising complex bends and twists to perfect their postures for the International Yoga Diwas on June 21. Small wonder, for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath will spread their mats at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan with 51,000 other yoga enthusiasts to mark the day.
On Sunday, the chosen venue sported green and red hues, as the agencies at work laid down high quality carpets, covering the entire ground. “We have to rush as there is a lot more to be done and time is running out,” said the vendor engaged in carpeting. He said the task was not just to lay the green and red carpets but also arrange pink Yoga mats systematically.
A few labourers said the Yoga mats were being laid in such a manner that the names of the participants were visible. They said covering the sprawling ground was not easy and more than 500 full-sized bundles of carpets were brought from Delhi and other districts. “It’s a grand event, hence we don’t want to take any chances. We have got carpets from some other districts to meet the requirement,” another vendor said.
The vendors were also busy making arrangements outside the ground. They installed hundreds of mobile toilets for the common people. “We have installed toilets to ensure cleanliness. These are special toilets that are designed not only for convenience of users but also store the waste efficiently, ,” said an employee who was busy setting up red, grey and green toilets outside the ground.
The roads leading to the ground are decked up with king size banners, posters and hoardings, highlighting the International Yoga Day and the benefits of this ancient exercise . On Jail Road, Bangla Bazar and other crossings, cut-outs of yoga enthusiasts have been displayed, demonstrating Yoga postures.
On Sunday, district magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma, senior superintendent of police (SSP) Deepak Kumar and other officials inspected the preparations and security arrangements.
The officials also took stock of the VVIP section where the Prime Minister and chief minister will perform Yoga.
On June 21, the PM is expected to reach the venue at around 6:30am and will fly back to Delhi at 8am.
It’s a grand event, hence we don’t want to take any chances. We have got carpets from some other districts to meet the requirement A VENDOR, for carpets