Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday unveiled the grand plans of the state govt for International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 at Visakhapatnam. The event will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The state govt is making elaborate arrangements with the aim of creating a world record to mark the completion of 10 years of the yoga event. The United Nations in 2015 declared June 21 as International Yoga Day.Describing yoga as India’s gift to the world, Naidu credited PM Modi for bringing global recognition to it with his passion, dedication, determination, and leadership. He launched a special campaign, YogAndhra-2025, which will be held for one month starting from Wednesday. “Yoga transcends region, religion, and boundaries. It is a universal practice that promotes well-being and balance in life. Yoga is the best way to become stress-free in today’s fast-paced world where life has become mechanical,” Naidu said, and called upon people to make yoga a part of their daily lives to stay happy and healthy.The month-long programs will not be just photo-op or symbolic events, but a mass movement to promote awareness and practice yoga, he said. On June 21, a sea of humanity will be seen along the coast from RK Beach to Bhogapuram as five lakh people will gather to practice yoga for an hour from 7 am to 8 am. “Our aim is to involve two crore people by bringing awareness through the month-long campaign,” said Naidu.Explaining the plans of the state govt, Naidu said 10 lakh individuals will be trained in yoga and issued certificates. “Volunteers from universities, public and private organisations, women, elderly, police personnel, and employees will all be encouraged to participate, and certificates will be issued to them as well,” he stated. The CM proposed conducting yoga training programs at prominent tourist destinations like Lepakshi, Gandikota, Araku, Lambasingi, Amaravati, and Konaseema, adding that the 21 temples which are generating over Rs 5 crore in revenues are ideal places to promote yoga.
