The funny yogi and his standup comedy!

Like an untamed chimp, accompanied by a troop of fellow simians, a bearded ‘holy’ man made a hungama on the roads in national capital, demanding to ‘bring back the black money stashed in foreign banks’ the other day.

This morning newspapers carried front page stories while televisions beamed steamy scenes. All while Baba Ramdev was blinking with that mysterious crooked smile that ridiculed everyone and everything.

A billion Indians stood agape, some praising the guru and some making skeptical remarks. However, it is interesting to know about this ‘funny old yogi’s’ economic background.

The Indian authorities last year launched a probe into the financial dealings of whopping 11 billion-rupee (Dh903.6 million) business empire controlled by this saffron-robed yoga guru, who has been worshipped as a demigod by millions of Hindus across the country.

If you do not know, this popular yogi Ramdev, who heals "incurable diseases" through yogic practices, controls more than 200 businesses, including religious broadcasting, a university dedicated to yoga teaching and a pharmaceutical company producing Ayurvedic medicine and herbal products.

The spectacular yoga and wellness resort, located in the valleys of the Himalayas, can accommodate up to 6,000 people who pay Rs 11,000 (Dh903) for an ordinary annual membership and Rs 250,000 (Dh20,527) for a reserved stay. His assets include prime property in India worth Rs 10bn and a £2 million Scottish island, all gifted by a legion of loyal devotees.


While the investigative agencies are looking for Ramdev’s money trail, the guru orchestrated an anti-graft campaign that attracted thousands of supporters. Ramdev went further and observed on a hunger strike in New Delhi, demanding the introduction of reforms to end government corruption.

However, Ramdev was forced to end his strike after his gathering of supporters was dispersed by police in a midnight crackdown.

It was meteoric rise from virtual anonymity - he was raised by illiterate parents in a scruffy village in the northern state of Haryana - has also invited calls for scrutiny by members of his own fraternity – to a vast business empire built not just by contributions of his followers, but his own business acumen.

In April last Ramdev tied up with Tetra Pak, a multinational food processing company, to package a new range of ready-to-drink health beverages. Tetra Pak invested Rs 250m to set up two package-making machines - each capable of manufacturing 32,000 units an hour - near the guru's yoga resort.

And this man is going to save the country! SOS… SOS…