BJP chief Amit Shah, Baba Ramdev perform Yoga at event in Ahmedabad
BJP chief Amit Shah showed some Yoga moves with Baba Ramdev this morning at Gujarat University ground in Ahmedabad where thousands of people performed pranayam, yoga and meditation to celebrate the International Yoga Day.
Baba Ramdev, who was eyeing world records on the occasion, advised people to emulate PM Modi and Mr Shah who practice yoga everyday.
"Both Narendrabhai (Modi) and Amitbhai perform yoga every day without fail and everybody should follow them," he told a gathering of over a lakh people at the Gujarat University grounds in Ahmedabad, with Mr Shah sharing stage with him and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.
The rain, however played a spoilsport and prevented many from attending the mega event, organised by the Gujarat government, held simultaneously at five grounds in the city.
The officials of the Guinness World Records, Baba Ramdev said, were at the venues which had 100 entry points, 100 giant LED screens and 10,000 volunteers from Patanjali Yogpeeth Gurukul ensuring smooth run of the event for the popular ancient physical and spiritual exercise.
"This is the world's biggest event. Anyone who has to study event management they should come to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modiji's Gujarat and see how lakhs of people began assembling here from 3 a.m.," he said, adding the event intended to create a world record. for the highest number of people practicing Yoga at one location at a given time.
Baba Ramdev said every person entering the venue was bar coded to keep the count of gathering. However, it was not immediately known how many participated in the event.
Meanwhile, PM Modi led a massive Yoga event in Lucknow where nearly 50,000 people performed Yoga.
Calling Yoga a zero-cost health assurance, PM called for standardisation of yoga. "I request people to make yoga a part of their life. We may not master yoga or become teachers but we should not stop from doing yoga," he said.
Heavy rain this morning did not deter the excited Yoga lovers in Lucknow, who were seen at venues with umbrellas, wrapped in raincoats, some even used Yoga mats to shield themselves, the move noticed by PM Modi too.
"People who have assembled here defying weather are not only highlighting the importance of Yoga but Yoga mats too," he jokingly said.
In Delhi, Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and NDA's presidential nominee Ram Nath Kovind took part in the celebrations in Connaught Place.
(with inputs from agencies)