Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today visited the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan here to review the preparations for the International Yoga Day event on June 21, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate.
They were briefed on the programme and the preparations by the officials. Naik was seen wearing a Yoga Day t-shirt.
A rehearsal for the main event was also held today.
An elaborate security arrangement would be put in place with commandos and paramilitary personnel keeping a close watch on the venue, the police said.
"Police chiefs of the adjoining districts of Lucknow have also been alerted to take preventive measures, especially in the wake of the Bharatiya Kisan Union's (BKU) call to stage protests on highways," a senior police official said.
BKU spokesperson Rakesh Tikait said, "Our office-bearers, along with farmers, will be performing yoga on the streets of various cities in the state. This will be our way to protest against the government's attitude towards the farmers."
BKU general secretary Dharmendra Malik said the supporters of the outfit would perform 'sheersashan'.
Officials at Lucknow said over 400 CCTV cameras would be installed for the June 21 event.
"The participants will be allowed to enter the venue from 2 AM to 5.30 AM. Giant LED screens will be installed at the venue for them to have a close look at the yogic postures," Additional District Magistrate (Lucknow East) Virendra Pandey said.
"Besides, we will install LED screens at 11 parks in Lucknow for those unable to enter the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan," he added.
The main event is scheduled to begin at around 6.30 AM, for which the state government has sent invites to leaders of various political parties, including former chief ministers Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and Mayawati (Bahujan Samaj Party).
The SP would take out 'cycle yatras' across the state to spread the message of environment conservation.
"SP national president Akhilesh Yadav has asked all the district presidents and office-bearers of the party to undertake cycle yatras on Yoga Day to spread the message of environment and health awareness," party spokesperson Rajendra Chowdhury said.
"SP leaders will perform yoga at the district headquarters and the workers will ride bicycles in their constituencies," he added.
It maybe recalled that when the SP was in power in the state, it had shunned the Yoga Day celebrations.
On May 14, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Adityanath had reviewed the preparations for the Yoga Day event in the presence of Union Ayush Minister Shripad Yesso Naik.
To ensure that the event was a grand success, the chief minister had issued directions to hold a 28-day workshop for the participants, which begun last month.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
