Will PM Modi Participate in Yoga Day Festivities in Vizag?

Vijayawada, May 14 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to grace the International Yoga Day festivities in Visakhapatnam on June 21, where an estimated 200,000 participants are anticipated.

On Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand conducted an initial assessment with relevant officials in Vijayawada regarding the preparations for the event.

The state administration is coordinating with the Union Ministry of AYUSH, Art of Living, Isha Foundation, Yoga Sports Association, various universities, and additional organizations to facilitate the Yoga Day celebration in the coastal city.

During a public assembly in Amaravati on May 2, where the Prime Minister was invited to recommence capital projects, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended the invitation for the Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, which the Prime Minister graciously accepted.

The state government aims to successfully host the 11th International Yoga Day with the theme "Yoga for One Earth, One Health".

Chief Secretary Vijayanand emphasized the need for meticulous arrangements to ensure the event is a success. He appointed M.T. Krishnababu, Special Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, as the state-level nodal officer to oversee the preparations.

He directed officials to commence preparations immediately and recommended involving all students from 8th grade to postgraduate from various educational institutions in Visakhapatnam in this program.

Moreover, Vijayanand proposed the large-scale participation of representatives from the Ayush Mission throughout the state, yoga instructors, yoga sports associations, physical education teachers, sports coaches, and several central government bodies in Visakhapatnam.

Union AYUSH Ministry Secretary Rajesh, who joined the meeting virtually from Delhi, stated that event management details would be finalized shortly, with 200,000 T-shirts and yoga mats being dispatched to the state. He assured that the necessary support would be extended to the state government for successfully organizing these International Yoga Day celebrations.

Since 2014, the United Nations General Assembly has recognized June 21 as International Yoga Day. The inaugural event took place on June 21, 2015, led by Prime Minister Modi.

To commemorate the 11th International Yoga Day, the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga has initiated a global campaign titled 100 organizations in 100 cities in 100 days, running from March 13 to June 21, aimed at promoting yoga's significance for health. In alignment with this, the Andhra Pradesh government is undertaking extensive efforts to raise awareness about yoga among the populace, themed "Yogandhra-2025".

In this meeting, Nodal Officer M.T. Krishnababu delivered a presentation regarding the International Yoga Day celebrations, indicating that arrangements for approximately 200,000 participants will be made. He noted that the Union AYUSH Ministry will soon confirm the event management. The venue for the event in Visakhapatnam still needs to be decided.

The state government has planned a four-week, four-pronged campaign from May 29 to promote yoga awareness. The awareness initiatives will be conducted at the district level in all districts during the first week, at the assembly constituency level for a week starting June 5, at the village level for a week from June 12, and significantly at the educational institution level from June 17.