Gujarat confidential: Interrupted

As International Yoga Day was celebrated in Surat on Wednesday, the malfunctioning of a microphone turned out to be embarrassing for organisers. The malfunction took place when Deputy Mayor of Surat Municipal Corporation Dinesh Jodhani and the anchor checked it before an announcement. Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi also stood up from his seat. “This happened after we all performed Yoga, and went to the stage for the award distribution. People could not hear anything. We believe due to high-speed winds, this might have happened. The issue was fixed after a few minutes,” Jodhani said.

Deserted

For over a week, the Gandhinagar Secretariat has worn a deserted look. Earlier, the annual enrolment program – Shala Praveshotsav that kicked off June 12 – kept the state leaders occupied. Later, as the threat of Cyclone Biparjoy loomed large, they were busy with rescue and relief work. After the cyclone threat eased, the leaders marked the International Yoga Day celebrations on Wednesday. In view of Yoga Day, the cabinet meeting was also advanced to Monday, people privy to the matter said.  Cyclone Biparjoy had struck the state last week and left a trail of destruction in many parts of the state.