It was not a surprise when the ‘vaasthu’ bug seemed to have stung even Mr. Lalit Modi, the high-profile chairman of the Indian Premier League, when he reviewed the arrangements at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal on Wednesday, the venue of the grand inaugural ceremony being planned for the third edition of the IPL starting on March 12.
The perceived ‘vaasthu dosham’ to the stadium did come up in his discussions with the BCCI vice-president N. Shivlal Yadav, incharge secretary D. S. Chalapathi. They told him that the imperative thing was whether best facilities were being provided for the players, officials and spectators or not. If the players could not perform well, why should it be blamed on vaasthu?
Mr. Modi was visibly satisfied at the facilities at stadium and the huge space for hospitality and parking. “Security is certainly a concern at every venue now-a-days. But, again each and every aspect in organising such big events will be taken care of as was the case on all previous occasions.”
Mr. Modi told the HCA officials that the grand opening ceremony will truly reflect the rich cultural and historical significance of the famous City. “Fortunately, with the new routes almost complete from the Rajiv Gandhi airport, transport should not be a problem now,” he hoped.
There was a suggestion not to sell off the corporate boxes at the pavillion block in view of the expected turn out of many VVIPs for the inaugural ceremony. Otherwise, Mr. Modi did not suggest any specific changes in the overall structures that were in place at the venue. “I promise you that this IPL opening function will be unique and a grand one. For obvious reasons, I am not going to disclose all the information about it right now,” he quipped.
But at the end of the day, Mr. Modi, who interacted with senior officials of Deccan Chargers (defending champions) also, left the venue a contented man with lot of optimism.
