Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the state is preparing to host an unprecedented International Yoga Day celebration on June 21, with a massive participation target of five lakh people in Visakhapatnam and nearly two crore individuals across the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the grand event in the coastal city, marking a historic moment in the state’s efforts to promote wellness through yoga. Addressing the media from his residence in Undavalli, Chief Minister Naidu described the upcoming celebration as a milestone for Andhra Pradesh and a significant step in positioning the state as a pioneer in health and wellness practices.
“Yoga is a timeless gift from India to the world. While it has been part of our heritage for centuries, it was Prime Minister Modi who elevated it to the global stage,” Naidu stated. He praised Modi for his passion toward yoga and emphasized its importance in tackling modern-day stress, highlighting that “there is no medicine for stress but yoga.”
The Chief Minister urged citizens to contribute creatively to the event’s promotion. “Whether through songs, drawings, or writing, everyone can play a role,” he said. He also appealed to the media to actively promote yoga through informative and engaging content.
In the lead-up to June 21, all schools in the state will conduct daily yoga sessions for an hour as part of a broader campaign to integrate yoga into daily life and the academic curriculum. The government will also launch a door-to-door awareness campaign and form an apex committee at the state level, with similar bodies at district and village levels to coordinate efforts.
To further encourage participation, the state will hold competitions, with winners earning a chance to join the main event’s front row in Visakhapatnam. The beachside event is expected to stretch several kilometres, starting from the iconic RK Beach.
Chief Minister Naidu also announced that the state government will approach organizations like the Guinness World Records to document the scale of the event. In addition, he launched a mobile app to facilitate yoga day registrations, aiming to streamline participation and ensure wide outreach.
Finally, the Chief Minister said the state is preparing a comprehensive plan to promote yoga as a year-round and lifelong practice, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a national trendsetter in holistic health initiatives.
