On the invitation of the UAE Government, yoga guru Baba Ramdev visited Dubai on the occasion of International Yoga Day, which was celebrated there on June 18 at the World Trade Centre hall. Nearly 20,000 people of over 100 nationalities had gathered to participate in the yoga event.
The initiative for the function was taken by the Consul-General of India and hosted in partnership with the Dubai Sports Council.
After a grand reception at Dubai airport where he landed by a chartered flight, he was taken to Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world standing at 2,722 ft which has residential complexes, hotels and restaurants at different floors situated in downtown area of Dubai.
The Pioneer spoke to the yoga guru about the event.
Ramdev was taken to the highest 148 floor of the tower at the observation deck where floor to ceiling glass walls provide 360 degree view of the city. When asked about his feelings of being at the top, Ramdev quipped, “It’s cool here and one can do Anulom Vilom Pranayam easily.”
He said just as this tower takes one to the highest point on earth, yoga also helps activate one’s inner powers. Appreciating the engineering marvels of Dubai, Ramdev said, “The country where dust storms were hitting a few years and vacant huts marked the city skyline before is now basking in the glory of prosperity and monuments. I came here 9 years ago but since then there has been tremendous change in the city which is a positive move.” He said if India could move at this pace, then “Jangal mein mangal ho jayega”.
The CEO Emaar group, who have built this tower accompanied the yoga guru to the top along with Consul-General of India to Dubai Anurag Bhushan. At 49 degrees centigrade temperatures, media had gathered at the base of the Burj khalifa at 5 pm Dubai time waiting for the “biggest yoga sensation” as the expatriates from India call him. After this, amidst tight security of Dubai government yoga guru was taken to the World trade centre for the yoga event organised by Consul general of India to Dubai.
He said ‘Ram rajya’ which we dream of exists in Dubai since there is no theft, robbery or crime here under good Governance.
Sheikh and abaya clad Arab national perform yoga on stage with Ramdev. It was a sight to behold when ‘abaya’ clad lady and ‘kandura’ clad Sheikh, the traditional dresses of United Arab Emirates, were performing ‘Taad’ asan stretching their arms upwards and doing alternate breathing with Ramdev.
The crowd cheered on every move and shake of the yog guru. Ramdev started his session with “Ramadan kareem” to everyone and asked them to recite ‘Om’ or “amen” as per their will while doing Udgeet pranayam. Rashid Ahmed, a localite translated his yogic descriptions and performed surya namaskar. Ramdev gave message of unification of “om” and “amen” from the stage.
A local participant, Manoj Tiwari who had come with his family to practice yoga said, “I am practicing yoga for many years and it was thrilling to exercise with the yoga guru amidst thousands of participants. His energy and enthusiasm inspires me.” While doing Vajra asan Ramdev said, “bending forward while sitting to perform Namaz is also a yoga posture.”
A social worker and president of Indian people forum Dubai chapter Girish Pant told The Pioneer that as many as 700 volunteers were engaged day and night in making the event successful. A Pakistani national Burhan S Chandra said that he had seen yoga guru on CDs and you tube and seeing him with own and he was thrilled to get a selfie clicked with him. The craze of people to get a glimpse of yog guru while he was taken from the yoga hall to the lounge was as if some movie star had entered the world trade centre.
A participant Vishwas Chhabra from UAE who runs “sitfit yoga” said that Bhuri community of Arabic muslims was a staunch follower of yoga.
100 nationalities participate in function
Counsel General of India to Dubai Anurag Bhushan said, “Dubai has over 200 nationalities and international yoga day celebration saw over 100 nationalities come at one platform to see Ramdev Swami. To learn yoga there is no better yoga exponent than Ramdev and people’s craze here bears testimony to this. Ramdev swami was a connecting link between the two Governments of UAE and India”.
Opening the event, president of Dubai Sports Council Saeed Hareb said, “I would like to thank Government of India today to have organised this one of the biggest and the greatest events in UAE. More than 25000 people have come here which shows how important yoga is which brings peace.” CEO of Dubai Tourism Issam Kazim said, “A movement has started worldwide on alternative medicine.With yoga, people have also shown interest in herbal products. With the coming of yoga guru, the craze towards health, happiness and harmony, the three goals of the event has become multifold.”