Govt plans ‘historic’ and ‘unforgettable’ Yoga Day

Vijayawada: Taking the cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who asked the state govt to make a world record campaign for the 11th International Day of Yoga, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday directed officials to make grand arrangements for the event and make it "historic and unforgettable". The CM, who held a review meeting with officials, including chief secretary K Vijayanand, to discuss the action plan for the event falling on June 21, wanted the arrangements to highlight this year's theme — Yoga for One Earth, One Health — and launch a state-wide campaign with the aim of reaching two crore people. He suggested ‘Yogandhra-2025' as the name for the campaign. A month-long programme will be observed from May 21 till June 21 by involving students, yoga trainers, associations, and people from all walks of life. Enrolment for participation in the event will be made at the secretariat level.Officials presented an action plan for conducting the event at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam. They informed that participants will be spread from RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam Beach. Arrangements are being made for approximately 2.5 lakh people to participate in yoga along this stretch. Sixty-eight locations have been identified for the event, including public spaces like RK Beach, Rushikonda, schools, cricket grounds, police and sports complexes, Naval premises, and other open grounds with a total capacity for 2,58,948 participants."This is a prestigious event. The Prime Minister's presence makes it even more special. It must be conducted spectacularly and mark the beginning of a widespread yoga movement across the state. For a month, there must be a widespread dialogue on yoga everywhere. To enhance visibility and outreach, organisations like Isha Foundation and Art of Living should be engaged. The International Yoga Day in AP should rewrite the history of yoga celebrations in the past decade," Naidu said.As this year marks 10 years of International Yoga Day, Naidu suggested involving up to five lakh people by organising yoga sessions across all suitable locations from RK Beach to Srikakulam along the coastline. The first mass yoga event was held during the first year with 36,000 participants, which created a record. In the inaugural year, yoga was held in 84 countries. Today, over 170 countries observe International Yoga Day.In 2023, Surat hosted another record-breaking yoga session with 1.53 lakh participants at one location, setting a new Guinness World Record. The state govt is now aiming to break Surat's record.