By Sudeshna Sarkar, IANS
Kathmandu : Indian yoga guru Swami Ramdev’s much-awaited training camp finally kicked off in Kathmandu early Sunday after being put off the previous day due to security fears.
Thousands of fans braved fears of bomb attacks and other disruptions to turn up at the capital’s most prominent public ground at Tundikhel from the wee hours of Sunday for a glimpse of the miracle man whose yoga and breathing techniques are believed to help combat a wide range of diseases.
Over 700 armed police men were deployed at the yoga camp that could not start Saturday after Nepal’s home ministry decided to defer the programme at the 11th hour without officially assigning any reason.
Nepal’s state television station had reported Saturday that the authorities had received an anonymous phone call, warning of a security threat.
The reported threat came after serial blasts rocked Kathmandu earlier this month, killing three women and injuring 26 people.
The traffic police, however, had said they were instructed about changes after Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who was supposed to inaugurate the camp, fell ill.
There seemed to be some element of truth in it as the premier, known to fall ill frequently, did not turn up Sunday, leaving Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula to step into his shoes.
The security fears about the camp angered the Maoists after some media reports allegedly said the rebels, who are opposing a crucial election scheduled in November, were behind the security threats.
Former information and communications minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also the Maoist spokesperson, issued a statement denying his party’s involvement and even turned up at Tindikhel to share a press conference with Ramdev Saturday evening to assure people that the camp would be held from Sunday without any untoward incident.
A relaxed Ramdev, clad in his trademark red robes, conducted Sunday’s camp like a seasoned VJ, displaying humour as well as firmness.
Grateful men and women, who had come from different parts of Nepal, expressed their gratitude to the guru, telling him how they had been cured of serious illnesses after following his teachings on the Indian TV channel Aastha.
A woman, who was receiving treatment for cancer, said 75 percent of her disease had been cured. People suffering from high blood pressure, joint pains and even blocked heart eloquently testified to the healing power of his teachings.
The camp would be held for four more days at the end of which Ramdev is expected to announce that he would set up a centre in Kathmandu.
This is the Indian guru’s first camp in Nepal, where he enjoys a huge fan following with some of the top politicians following his training.
A group of 20 vaids – traditional doctors – accompanied Ramdev from India and are conducting health camps in the capital.
Thousands are expected at the camp, for which tickets, priced at Nepali Rs.3,000, 1,500 and 500, have been sold.
The postponement of the camp hit the headlines, both in Nepal and India.
The incident is likely to affect Nepal’s image in India, from where the bulk of tourists are.
It also heightens the growingly negative image of the Koirala government that has failed to uphold the rule of law and was forced to defer a crucial election twice.