‘Cheerleaders OK, if properly presented’

There is nothing wrong with the 'cheerleaders' concept, feels Girija Vyas, Chairperson, NCW.

As cheerleaders at IPL cricket matches triggered a controversy, the National Commission for Women (NCW) felt there is nothing wrong with the concept but said the stage should be used to promote Indian culture by bringing folk dancers and musicians.

“I find nothing wrong with the concept if it is just for adding entertainment element to the game. It has to be presented in the right manner keeping the Indian values intact,” said Girija Vyas, Chairperson, NCW.

“I think we should promote our culture by bringing folk dancers and musicians in these matches. We have so much variety in our culture, dresses that after some point of time foreign countries will start imitating us,” she said.

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Meanwhile, social activist Swami Agnivesh outrightly rejected the cheer-leading concept and said it is degrading Indian culture.

“It is the height of vulgarity and it should be stopped. People in the age group of 10 to 70 years come to see matches with their families. In a country like India, the public representation of obscenity will not be tolerated,” he said.

Some of the cheerleaders have been specially flown in from the US. The Vijay Mallya-owned Banglore team has roped in “Washington Redskins Cheerleaders” to be its official cheerleaders. They will also select a group of cheerleaders in the country through a talent hunt.

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