Despite displays of much political animosity at public events, two men at the helm of their respective power centres in the Capital are likely to brush shoulders thanks to their mutual admiration for yoga this Sunday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal are both expected to be in close proximity of each other while in attendance at the International Yoga Day celebrations, organised in the heart of New Delhi.
A senior Delhi government official said Mr. Kejriwal was “more than likely” to be present at the event given the “grand scale” at which the event is being organised in the Capital. The official could, however, not confirm whether the Prime Minister’s Office had extended an official invite for the same to Mr. Kejriwal.
“In any case, we don’t have any plans to organise a parallel event on similar lines,” the official told The Hindu .
Another official said the Delhi government saw “no need to do so” due to the sheer financial burden and other ancillary preparations that could strain its resources, which organising such an event will require, and “will be more than happy to participate in the one already organised”.
While Mr. Modi’s inclination towards yoga is well-documented, Mr. Kejriwal has, on more than one occasion, expressed his proclivity for Vipassana meditation, going as far as declaring that he was in favour of dedicating the latter half of his years, post retirement from public life, to practising it.
The Chief Minister had devoted ample time to the same both after his hectic campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections, held earlier this year, in addition to a fortnight’s retreat to practice Vipassana at a prominent institution in Bangalore after assuming charge at the helm of the Capital’s government.
In fact, the Aam Aadmi Party-led (AAP) government even offered to send teachers deputed across schools in the Capital for Vipassana sessions to counter routine and work-related stress.
However, that did not find many takers among the teachers.
Published - June 20, 2015 12:00 am IST
