Embattled Baba Ramdev has heaved a sigh of relief after the Utaranchal Government gave him a clean chit stating that no animal parts were found in the medicines prepared by his Haridwar-based pharmacy.

At the Yoga Vigyan Shivir that got underway in Lucknow on Sunday, Baba Ramdev has taken on his detractors. The baba, who was in news recently over allegations about the efficacy of his medicines and methods, invited a team from the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) to conduct a detailed before and after test on 300 yoga subjects.

This may not be music to Left parties’ ears. Leaders across the political spectrum, namely Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, Jharkhand’s leader of the Opposition and JMM veteran Sudhir Mahto, on Saturday played to the gallery along with Chief Minister Arjun Munda, and heaped praises on yoga guru Baba Ramdev at a function held in the sprawling Morahabadi ground here.

He may be under fire from CPM politburo member Brinda Karat for allegedly mixing animal bone powder in ayurvedic preparations manufactured at his ashram, but yoga guru Swami Ramdev is the secret of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad’s newfound agility.

Sadhus and sants from Haridwar and other religious centres have warned Left parties not to interfere in matters of faith.

Laloo’s comments came a day after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav backed the spiritual leader. Demonstrations by the guru’s followers against the communists were also reported from several places around the country.

He’s somebody who has simply showed the nation how to breathe for good health! So when an interview was scheduled with Swami Ramdev Maharaj at his host Mahavir Ranka’s house, I didn’t know what to expect of the meeting. My first impression of Ramdevji (or swamiji as he is called) him was that he was a simple human being. Dressed in saffron robes and sporting wooden padukas, he welcomed us and answered all questions patiently.

Studies are proving that yoga and pranayama go a long way in preventing and curing dangerous diseases. In the words of Swami Ramdev, the time has come for the world to take note of yoga. Surabhi Khosla meditates on the truth.