NRI who gifted Baba Scotland island was at Maidan protest

The island,originally called Little Cumbrae,bought for 2 million pounds (an estimated Rs 16 crore) in 2009,is around 900 acres in size. The Poddars are Ramdev’s biggest promoters in the UK and have set up the Patanjali Yog Peeth (UK) Trust (PYPT) to spread Baba’s “gospel”.

Sunita Poddar said that she,with other influential NRIs in the UK,plans to raise the police action in New Delhi in the House of Commons. “We are so embarrassed by the action of the Indian government and the manner in which they treated Swamiji and his followers. We intend to take up the issue with the British government… I was always so proud of being an Indian. June 6 has changed all that.”

The Poddars announced the purchase of the island and its subsequent donation to Ramdev in September 2009. Little Cumbrae was uninhabited,a rocky,treeless little island off the Scottish west coast,with nothing to distinguish it except for the remains of a small 13th century castle.

After the handing over ceremony on September 27,2009,where Ramdev was present,along with a media contingent from Scotland and the UK,it acquired a new name — Peace Island. Speaking on the occasion,Ramdev said the island could become “a centre of great pilgrimage. It (the island) is like the Himalayas and the banks of the Ganges.” Sunita Poddar said that Ramdev has only been back to the island once,last year,when he made a day trip to finalise plans to turn it into an upscale health retreat and to raise funds to finance the project. Said Sunita Poddar: “The island was bought with our own money and by perfectly legal means under UK laws. We donated it to Swamiji and now it is run by the PYPT as a charitable trust. There have been stories in the media that we are a front for the Swamiji’s financial dealings but I want to make it clear that it was our own money that was used to purchase the island. Everything was done according to UK land transfer regulations.” Since Ramdev’s visit last year,the island now boasts six cottages and a yoga centre for those who want to stay overnight. The plans for the Retreat Centre include more cottages and separate therapy rooms apart from dining and recreational areas. Up to 100 people will be able to stay at the retreat at any one time. Guests will be offered therapies including yoga,massages,and specially devised diets,incorporating fruits and herbs. Laughter classes will also be on offer,and visitors will be encouraged to explore the 700-acre island and its scenic walking trails. “It’s a work in progress,” said Sunita,adding: “We want to make this a world class facility for health and yoga,we have almost 1000 acres of beautiful grounds where people can be one with nature.” Incidentally,the reason for her generous donation was her own health. After Ramdev’s televised teachings helped Poddar lose three stones,she said,the couple dedicated themselves to spreading his word,running the UK branch of the PYPT,a registered charity and a sister organisation of the guru’s organisation in India.