Russian flags were flying high in the
historic naval city of Sevastopol today as people looked forward to
rejoining what many see as their homeland after a crunch referendum on
Crimea's future. Several thousand people -- many waving the white, blue
and red Russian standard or holding flowers -- gathered for a
celebratory concert in the city's Nakhimov Square, named after one of
Russia's most illustrious admirals. Shortly after polling closed, exit
polls confirmed what spectators never doubted and showed that 93 per
cent of voters favoured joining Russia and breaking away from Ukraine.
"We're free of the occupation," shouted Lucia Prokorovna, 60, carrying a
giant Russian flag. "Ukraine was attached to Crimea like a sack of
potatoes. Today I visited the polling station -- I only slept half the
night hoping for the moment we would be with Russia." Russian rock band
Lubeh, known for their patriotic songs, were at the event, drawing a
young crowd who cheered as lead singer Igor Matvienko shouted "Hurrah
Sevastopol!" and "Success for you!" between songs. Samadova Viktorovna,
39, brought along her two children aged 11 and eight to the concert,
which was marked by a conspicuous police and security presence plus
plenty of alcohol. "It's magnificent -- look at how many people are
here," she said. "We have big hopes because there has not been order in
Ukraine for years." The square is a stone's throw from the waters
where Russian warships are stationed as part of the Black Sea Fleet -- a
constant reminder of Moscow's influence over the city, both past and
present. Sevastopol was founded by Catherine the Great of Russia in
1783 and has been home to the fleet -- a strategically crucial naval
unit which provides Moscow with access to the Mediterranean within a
day's sailing -- ever since. It was one of the Crimean War's main
battlegrounds and was rebuilt under Joseph Stalin after being destroyed
during World War II as German forces held the city under siege.
Sevastopol has a large majority of ethnic Russians among its 350,000
residents who yearn for Crimea to switch from being Ukrainian territory
to being part of Russia, as it was until 1954.
With the stage set for International Yoga Day this Sunday, yoga asanas were performed mid-air at 35,000 feet above the sea-level, arguably the first time ever! The asanas called Upayoga or useful yoga were performed as a trial-run aboard the Delhi-Guwahati and Guwahati-Delhi flights of budget airline SpiceJet with over 180 passengers and crew. The Gurgaon-based carrier has teamed up with Isha Foundation of Sadhguru to conduct mid-air yoga sessions on its select Boeing flights on Sunday, which is being observed as International Yoga Day. Talking about the yogic postures demonstrated, Gita, a teacher with the Isha Foundation said the session was designed to reduce stress for passengers who travel long hours. "These are safe, simple postures which can be done by anyone, and can be practiced anytime and anywhere. They help in relieving stress accumulated in the upper neck and spine region," Gita told PTI. The passengers on board, who had no clue about the onboard yoga demonstr...
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