PNS|Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh is preparing for a historic International Yoga Day celebration on 21 June, with an unprecedented turnout of 5 lakh participants expected in Visakhapatnam.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who reviewed the arrangements at the Undavalli Camp Office on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the enthusiastic public response and emphasised the state’s commitment to setting a new Guinness World Record.
Describing the event as a matter of pride for the state, the Chief Minister underscored the need for flawless arrangements to ensure a smooth experience for all participants. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to attend the session in Visakhapatnam, the Chief Minister instructed officials to manage traffic efficiently and provide clear guidance to attendees travelling from across the state. “There should be zero confusion. Every individual must reach their designated location without difficulty,” he said.
To build momentum ahead of the main event, CM Naidu announced two major statewide initiatives. On 7 June, yoga awareness rallies will be held in every village and urban area. This will be followed by mass yoga practice sessions on 14 June at one lakh locations, including educational institutions and public spaces. These efforts aim to prepare the public both physically and mentally for the grand event on 21 June.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the activities conducted as part of “Yoga Month” and highlighted the enthusiastic response to daily themed yoga events involving students, women, self-help groups and various community organisations.
Special Chief Secretary MT Krishna Babu reported that registrations were pouring in from every village, surpassing expectations. Of the targeted two crore participants across the state, 1.77 crore have already registered. An app has also been launched to issue digital certificates to those who complete three consecutive days of yoga practice.
In preparation, over 5,353 master trainers have been trained—more than double the original target of 2,600. These trainers have in turn trained 1.48 lakh yoga instructors, exceeding the goal of 1.25 lakh.
Officials also informed the Chief Minister that German hangars are being arranged in Visakhapatnam as a precaution in case of rain, to ensure the event proceeds without disruption.
Senior ministers including Nara Lokesh, Kandula Durgesh, Vangalapudi Anitha, Dola Balaveeranjaneyaswamy, Satya Kumar, Chief Secretary KS Jawahar Reddy and DGP Harish Kumar Gupta were present at the review meeting.
