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PM Modi leads 11th International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam
Over 3 lakh participants have joined PM Modi for a mass yoga demonstration in Visakhapatnam, with several events under the Yoga Sangam initiative.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the celebrations for the 11th International Day of Yoga Day on Saturday. The Prime Minister was seen performing several asanas at an event in Visakhapatnam. The theme for this year is "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," which echoes India's vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated vision of well-being.
It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of "Sarve Santu Niramaya" (May all be free from disease). PM Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening. He was received by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the 'Yoga Sangam' initiative. The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and is expected to attract unprecedented participation from all over the country.
With widespread participation, over 2 crore people are expected to participate in Yoga sessions at 1 lakh locations across Andhra Pradesh. The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating to attempt a Guinness World Record marking the occasion. Additionally 50 lakh yoga certificates will be awarded to the registered participants, making it truly iconic.
National Capital, Delhi is also set to actively participate with Yoga events held at 109 locations including a grand program at the historic Red Fort on Saturday. To ensure full participation, PM Modi has addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, "It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world."
Against the target of 1 lakh registrations for the June 21 event in the country, more than 11 lakh organisations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of Ayush. Among the states, Rajasthan topped the list with 2.25 lakh registrations.
Also read: PM Modi leads International Yoga Day, calls it ‘humanity’s pause button'
Signature events to be held this year
This year will also be unique as it introduces 10 Signature events to garner public participation. These events cater to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad. They include:
Yoga Sangam- mass yoga demonstrations across over 1,00,000 locations, alongside the national event.
Yoga Bandhan- international collaborations and the exchange of yoga delegations
Harit Yoga- which integrates yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives
Yoga Samavesh- yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups
Yoga Connect- an online global yoga summit, featuring global experts and policymakers.
It also includes Yoga Unplugged, with youth-centric campaigns and Yoga Maha Kumbh.
The preparational activities for International Yoga Day have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organised by various government bodies. With large-scale preparations and Yoga demonstrations, the message is clear: Yoga is not only a gift of India to the world, but also a pathway for a healthier, harmonious, and more sustainable future for all.
(With ANI Inputs)
