New Delhi, June 02: The Ramlila Ground located in the heart of the national Capital is virtually turning into ‘Ramdev Nagari’ ahead of Baba Ramdev’s proposed satyagraha from June 4. Cut-outs of the Patanjali Yoga Peeth founder Ramdev and his preaching being played in the ground is creating an atmosphere in support of the fight against corruption, besides adding to the aura of yoga guru whose lakhs of followers would be attending the Ashtang Yoga Shivir starting Saturday.
Materials for tent have been procured from Rishikesh whereas the sound system at the venue has been arranged from Haridwar, where the Patanjali Yoga Peeth is situated. According to organisers, these materials have been arranged by Baba’s followers in these places.
Preparations are under full swing and hundreds of volunteers and workers are giving final touch to all necessary arrangements at the Ramlila Maidan where a 2.5 lakh square feet waterproof and air conditioned tent is being put in place for visitors. While preparations were underway for the last ten days, arrival of Baba Ramdev at Ramlila Maidan on Wednesday evening added to the enthusiasm among workers and volunteers.
Baba will be staying at Ramlila Maidan from Wednesday. Volunteers said that Ramdevji will stay in a tent at the Ramlila Ground in which all other basic facilities have been arranged. The excitement and dedication of his supporters can be gauged from the fact they have been visiting various parks across the Capital and urging yoga practitioners to participate in the yoga camp at Ramlila Maidan.
Apart from his volunteers, the Delhi Government, following the party high command’s direction, is also working hard to make success of the proposed satyagraha (protest fast) of Baba Ramdev. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Wednesday called an informal Cabinet meeting and directed her Ministers to ensure proper power and water supply as well as sanitation and health care facilities for his followers who will start pouring into the city from June 3.
It may be noted that this is the first time that Delhi Government has called a Cabinet meeting to discuss providing basic amenities to make success of such an event.
A Delhi Minister said on the condition of anonymity that Chief Minister has alerted the Ministers to be prepared to provide basic amenities and other facilities to cater lakhs of people coming to Delhi in the satyagraha rally of Baba Ramdev. It is expected that nearly 10 lakh people would come to the national Capital to participate in the yoga camp.
Meanwhile, Delhi Jal Board has been directed to make arrangements for water while the Health Department has been told to ensure CATS ambulances at Ramlila Maidan in case of any eventuality. MCD has also been directed to provide sanitation around Ramlila Ground and the Power Department will ensure round the clock power supply.
Baba Ramdev’s spokesperson SK Tijarawala said that about of 750 volunteers are working overnight for making arrangements. “Overhead tents of around 2.5 lakh square feet is being put up to shed those who attend the protest and yoga camp. We will also put up three communication towers and a facility centre for the media”, Tijarawala stated.
“There will be helpline numbers too. Sound systems with low noise level would be arranged to avoid sound pollution. Five hundred water taps would be fixed to supply pure water to visitors. About 850 fans and coolers would be placed to beat the heat”, he said.
“There will be five LED screens across the grounds which people will be able to see from a distance of 5,000 feet,” he said. According to him, there will be 100-bedded residential area for the yoga gurus. There will be 500 water dispensing units and 1,000 washrooms for the visitors. Tijarawala said nearly 100 volunteers will be managing the traffic situation.
–Agencies–