Kolkata witnessed frenetic last-minute preparations on Saturday ahead of the 12th International Day of Yoga, with the focal point being Red Road, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the main event on Sunday. Arrangements have been made for approximately 35,000 people on Red Road, while several lakhs are expected to participate in yoga sessions across different parts of the city.
Final touches at Red Road
Throughout Saturday, workers at Red Road were busy putting finishing touches on the dais where Modi will perform various asanas. A canopy has been installed over the dais to provide protection from sun and rain. “The frame of the dais is ready with the shade, in keeping with the instruction of the SPG. On Friday, work slowed down because of the rain. More manpower was engaged thereafter to meet the deadline. Some last-minute decoration work is now on and we hope to keep this venue ready for the International Day of Yoga celebrations by Saturday night,” said an employee of the decorator contracted to make arrangements at the venue.
Security and restrictions
Security was tightened around Red Road on Saturday, with central force personnel and additional police deployed in the area. Both ends of the road were blocked with guard rails, and entry to the venue was restricted. Some pedestrians attempted to catch a glimpse of the massive preparations from Mayo Road, but police asked them not to click photographs, citing “security protocol”.
Preparatory events across the city
The ministers’ yoga practice session, which had been underway at Netaji Indoor Stadium since June 17, concluded on Saturday evening. The city’s run-up to the main event included several yoga sessions and public programmes throughout the day. After sunset, mass yoga demonstrations were held on nearly 500 boats on the Hooghly River. These boats reportedly sailed from the Sundarbans for the carnival. Around 8 pm, Kolkata’s skyline lit up with a mega drone show featuring nearly 3,000 drones, yoga-themed illuminations, and special lighting on bridges.
Yoga sessions at various venues
On Saturday morning, the Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry hosted a yoga session in its conference room, inaugurated by MLA Roopa Ganguly. At the Calcutta Rowing Club, nearly 100 participants, many of them club members, joined an early morning yoga session by the waterfront. British Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Hall inaugurated the programme and also joined participants on the mats. Referring to Kolkata’s culture of adda, he said the city was known for conversations that could stretch for hours or even days. He urged people who enjoy speaking and listening to others to also spend time listening to themselves.
Yoga beyond Kolkata
Yoga sessions were also held outside Kolkata. In north Bengal’s Gorumara, forest department staff performed yoga on the banks of the Torsa River on Saturday morning, with mahouts astride elephants also joining the event.
