PNS|Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh is set to attempt a Guinness World Record by organising a mass yoga session with over five lakh participants during the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam on June 21, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, who chaired a review meeting at the State Secretariat on the “Yoga Andhra-2025” initiative, stated that the aim is to create a record that will remain unmatched for years to come. The mass yoga event will span 26 km, from Ramakrishna Beach to Bheemili. He also instructed officials to ensure that two crore people across the state take part in yoga sessions on the same day.
A Group of Ministers will review the arrangements on 3 June, and all departments have been directed to submit preliminary reports by 2 June. Special Chief Secretary for Medical and Health, MT Krishna Babu, has been appointed as the nodal officer and will coordinate operations from the Visakhapatnam Command and Control Centre from 16 June.
Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, who joined the meeting virtually, emphasised the need for tight security and surveillance, including the use of AI tools, CCTV cameras, and drones. Sub-command centres will be established at intervals of 4–5 km along the stretch.
Visakhapatnam District Collector A Harindra Prasad said arrangements are being made for 15,000 participants at RK Beach, where the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend. A contingency venue has also been arranged at AU Engineering College Grounds in case of inclement weather.
Over 350 compartments will be set up along the route, accommodating 500 to 1,000 participants each. These will be supported by yoga instructors, digital screens every 150 metres, and medical camps every 500 metres. More than five lakh yoga mats and T-shirts will be supplied by the Union Ministry of AYUSH, with the state government handling the remaining logistics.
