CRPF commandos providing Z-category protective cover to yoga guru Baba Ramdev have now turned to him to learn the techniques of the traditional Indian spiritual and meditative system of exercise. Influenced by Baba Ramdev’s yogic exercises, and their desire to beat stress and keep fit, many of the 24 gun-toting commandos of the 204 Battalion of the CRPF who guard him round-the-clock have started practicing yoga.
“Soon after we were drafted to provide him security, Baba Ramdev persuaded us to practice yoga. Before beginning our normal routine, we take lessons from him that help us a lot in de-stressing ourselves and keep fit,” said an official of the CRPF contingent that guards Ramdev. In November, the Union Home Ministry had decided to accord Z-category security cover to Ramdev, following a review of threat perception for VIPs. Ramdev, who campaigned for the BJP in the run up to the Parliamentary elections, is guarded round-the-clock by a contingent of 24 commandos, just a notch below the 36 security personnel that protect those who enjoy the highest Z-plus cover.
The day starts early for many of the CRPF personnel as they wake up at 5 am to go for a walk with the yoga guru at his ashram in Haridwar. After the morning walk, the CRPF personnel take yoga lessons in the presence of Ramdev for an hour. Ramdev is said to be “friendly” and approachable. Giving an insight of his routine at the ashram, an official said Baba Ramdev gives sermons to the visitors on the values of democracy and how the NDA Government at the Centre led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is taking steps in curbing the role of black money in the economy.
A senior CRPF official said, “Our men have to remain more fit than the protectee and in this case, the person being provided security cover is very active due to his involvement with yoga. Any of our personnel, who are off duty, are free to take lessons on yoga from Baba Ramdev.” On a question if the yoga lessons by Baba Ramdev have helped the CRPF personnel, the official said they were helpful. Ramdev is being provided protection just for a few months.
The positive aspects, if any, of yoga on the paramilitary personnel could be ascertained only subsequently. With yoga being internationally acclaimed for its healing effects, the Union Home Ministry may soon introduce yoga on a larger scale in the paramilitary forces to manage stress levels of the personnel. Presently, the CRPF has on its own sought to introduce yoga in some of the units.
A study conducted by the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad had pointed out overburdening of the CRPF personnel for work, leading to alarming rates of attrition. “Isolation from family and continuous posting in hard areas were leading to stress and depression and the key reasons behind the alarming attrition rates among Central paramilitary forces in the country,’ the study had underscored.
The IIMA had also recommended holding of regular counseling sessions and yoga classes to help them beat stress. A study by the Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), a Government think tank, had also underscored stressful working conditions for the paramilitary personnel and had recommended remedial measures to distress them. Over 51,000 personnel have quit the paramilitary ranks in the last five years.