PM Modi leads International Yoga Day celebrations at Vizag; CM Naidu among 3L people join event

Visakhapatnam: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations at Vizag.

Over three lakh came together for a massive yoga demonstration on Saturday. This grand event marked the conclusion of the month-long Yogandhra campaign, which saw an impressive 2.17 crore participants across the state.

In his address at the 11th International Day of Yoga event in Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his appreciation to Chief Minister Naidu for successfully hosting the landmark celebration.

PM Modi participated in the yoga session and emphasized the significance of the event, noting that 175 countries had supported the proposal to mark an International Yoga Day—an extraordinary demonstration of global solidarity. He underlined that this support was not just for a symbolic resolution, but a genuine collective step forward for the betterment of humanity.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lauded the public's enthusiastic participation, highlighting the recent Guinness World Record achievement where 22,122 tribal students performed Surya Namaskar in unison. “From villages to cities, yoga has truly become a people's movement in Andhra Pradesh,” Naidu remarked, pointing out active participation from all 26 districts.

CM Naidu also appreciated the contributions of 1.44 lakh yoga trainers, whose tireless efforts facilitated the campaign's extraordinary reach. He acknowledged the successful organization of yoga programs at over 100 tourist destinations and noted that 1.7 crore participants had received official certification as part of the initiative.

The Visakhapatnam gathering stood as a testament to yoga's universal appeal, with a diverse array of participants—from tribal communities to urban professionals—joining hands in the celebration of this ancient discipline. Praising the collective efforts of the people, Naidu stated, “You have shown the world your strength. The Yogandhra campaign has set a new benchmark that others will now aspire to follow.”

He underlined the global stature of International Yoga Day, recognized by the United Nations, and credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and leadership in promoting yoga on the world stage. Today, Yoga Day is observed at over 12 lakh venues across more than 175 countries, with a staggering 10 crore participants globally. He expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for selecting Andhra Pradesh as the proud host of this historic occasion.

Connecting yoga to the long-term development vision of the state, the Chief Minister reiterated that the foundational goal of Swarna Andhra @ 2047 is to achieve a “healthy, wealthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh.”

Looking toward the future, Naidu advocated for yoga’s inclusion in prestigious global sporting events such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. He urged every citizen to dedicate at least one hour a day to yoga and encouraged the youth in particular to embrace it as a tool to boost focus, creativity, and well-being in the fast-paced digital era.

“Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe,” he said, underscoring how yoga continues to unify, heal, and inspire people worldwide.