When the television cameramen swung their lenses for the crowd's reaction, all they could capture was indifference. The crowd couldn't care less.
As Ramdev began proceedings with a demonstration of pranayam, there was a rustle on the stage. The main sponsor Sudhakar Shetty of the Sahana group of companies, Ravikant Rana, the founder of the Patanjali Yogpeeth foundation, and Sherawat -- in a pair of black leggings and a turtleneck with a beige jacket -- came up to take their seats to Ramdev's right.
After quickly welcoming them, Ramdev began concentrating on leading the crowd into the next asana. As he continued, Shetty and Sherawat began chattering like dignitaries on any other stage on any other occasion. But Ramdev would have none of it. When the chatter looked like it would disturb the ambience, Ramdev turned to the two and said, "Arre, why are you guys still sitting there. Sit down and start doing pranayam," and ordered the organisers to pull the chairs away and provide the three with yoga mats. As Rana -- and later Shetty -- slipped away, Mallika was momentarily left alone on one corner of the stage. Turning to her, the yoga guru said, "Bolo, 'baba, please teach me pranayam so that I will never become old." Not to be outdone, Mallika said, "Baba, meri glow bana do." ("Please teach me pranayam so that I can keep my skin glowing forever.")
Also read: The Baba Ramdev interview
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