PNS|Vijayawada
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has instructed officials to organise the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam on a record-breaking scale. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lead the grand yoga session on June 21, a participation he has already confirmed.
In a high-level review held at the Chief Minister’s camp office on Friday, Naidu emphasised the importance of making the event “historic and unforgettable.” This year’s theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, and the CM underscored that the Prime Minister’s presence makes it a prestigious occasion.
Calling for widespread participation, the Chief Minister said, “Every citizen must be made a stakeholder. At least two crore people across the state should be engaged under the banner of ‘Yogandhra-2025’.” He announced that a ‘Yoga Month’ would be observed from 21 May to 21 June, with daily yoga sessions conducted in all village and ward secretariat areas. Citizens will receive both online and offline training, with certificates awarded upon completion.
Naidu urged everyone to see yoga as a civic responsibility, adding that the practice must continue well beyond Yoga Day. He also recommended partnering with reputed organisations like Isha Foundation and Art of Living to maximise reach and impact. “Andhra Pradesh should set a new benchmark for Yoga Day celebrations in the past decade,” he asserted.
Officials briefed the CM on arrangements for the Prime Minister’s programme at RK Beach, with participants stretching from RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam. Around 2.5 lakh people are expected to take part in yoga along this coastal stretch, with 68 venues identified, including schools, beaches, sports complexes, navy grounds, and open fields, accommodating up to 2,58,948 participants.
As this year marks the 10th anniversary of International Yoga Day, the Chief Minister proposed involving up to five lakh participants by extending the event to suitable venues along the coastline from RK Beach to Srikakulam.
The United Nations had declared June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014, following an initiative by Prime Minister Modi. This year’s event will feature yoga practice from 7 AM to 8 AM.
In 2023, Surat entered the Guinness World Records with 1.53 lakh participants performing yoga at a single location. Andhra Pradesh now aims to surpass that milestone with its grand event in Visakhapatnam.
