"Yoga gives us the direction of peace," Modi said, describing it as "humanity’s pause button" to breathe, balance, and restore harmony.
Published Jun 21, 2025 | 10:25 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 21, 2025 | 10:26 AM
International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam. (Supplied)
Synopsis: On the morning of June 21, Prime Minister Modi, Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, and ministers led the 11th International Yoga Day in Visakhapatnam, drawing over 5 lakh participants. Celebrating “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” the event marked the culmination of the Yogandhra Abhiyan. Modi praised Nara Lokesh’s efforts, highlighting yoga’s global impact, inclusivity, and role in promoting holistic well-being.
In a vibrant display of unity and wellness, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alongside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, led the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations on the idyllic Visakhapatnam’s beach on Saturday, 21 June morning.
The event, held along a 26-km stretch up to Bhogapuram, drew over 5 lakh participants, marking one of the largest yoga gatherings in the world and is seen as setting a new benchmark for mass participation. The celebration, themed “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscored yoga’s role in promoting global harmony and holistic well-being.
The morning began with Prime Minister Modi, dressed in traditional attire, joining thousands of participants in performing the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), a standardised sequence of asanas designed to promote physical and mental health. Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan also actively participated, engaging with the crowd and emphasising the state’s commitment to making yoga a people’s movement.
The event was the culmination of the month-long Yogandhra Abhiyan, a campaign led by the Andhra Pradesh government that engaged 2.17 crore participants across 26 districts. It earned widespread praise from Modi for its inclusivity and scale, according to official sources.
Modi, addressing the gathering at RK Beach, described Visakhapatnam as “a city that beautifully blends nature with progress.” He congratulated Naidu and Kalyan for their leadership in hosting the event and singled out Lokesh for what he called his exemplary commitment to the Yogandhra Abhiyan, in a show of his new-found affection for him. “In just one and a half months, Lokesh has shown how yoga can be a true social celebration, uniting every section of society,” Modi said, which probably had warmed the cockles of the Human Resources Minister.
Naidu, in his address, hailed the event as a historic milestone for Visakhapatnam. “From villages to cities, yoga has become a true people’s movement in Andhra Pradesh,” he said, crediting the 1.44 lakh yoga trainers who facilitated the campaign’s success. Naidu emphasized yoga’s role in building a healthier Andhra Pradesh.
Lokesh spoke about yoga’s universal appeal. “Yoga is not just for one, but for all,” he said, echoing Modi’s sentiment. He referred to the participation of diverse groups, including tribal communities, urban professionals, and naval personnel, with over 11,000 members of the Eastern Naval Command joining the celebrations.
Pawan Kalyan, addressing the crowd, stressed on yoga’s transformative power in fostering mental resilience and physical vitality. “In today’s fast-paced world, yoga is a gift that helps us find balance and peace,” he said.
Modi’s address underscored the global impact of International Yoga Day, which was first proposed by India at the United Nations in 2014 and supported by 175 countries — a rare instance of global unity. “Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe,” he said.
He focused on the unique instances of yoga’s reach, from Divyang individuals studying yogic texts in Braille to scientists practicing yoga in space and youth participating in Yoga Olympiads in rural areas. “Whether it’s the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the summit of Mount Everest, or the vast expanse of the ocean, the message remains the same: Yoga is for everyone, beyond boundaries, backgrounds, age, or ability,” Modi said.
The prime minister also addressed the global context, noting that the world is grappling with tension and instability. “Yoga gives us the direction of peace,” he said, describing it as “humanity’s pause button” to breathe, balance, and restore harmony.
The Yogandhra movement, launched by the Andhra Pradesh government, was the cornerstone of the event’s success. The campaign mobilized 2.17 crore participants, including special programmes at over 100 tourist sites and certification for 1.7 crore individuals.
Chandrababu Naidu in his address referred to the campaign’s inclusivity, noting participation from tribal students, urban professionals, and naval personnel. The state prepared 1.3 lakh yoga venues and distributed 3.32 lakh t-shirts and 5 lakh yoga mats to support participants.
Both Modi and Naidu emphasized yoga’s relevance in the modern era. Modi described yoga as a tool to counter the stresses of the digital age, promoting mental clarity and physical health.
Naidu elaborated, stating, “When our youth embrace yoga, they gain not just health but the focus to succeed in today’s digital world.” He further announced plans to integrate yoga into education and community programmes, ensuring its accessibility to all sections of society.
The 11th International Yoga Day in Visakhapatnam was a testament to India’s soft power and Andhra Pradesh’s organizational excellence. With over an estimated five lakh participants, multiple world records, the event set a new standard for global yoga celebrations. Naidu declared, “Vizag has made history with yoga today,” as the government described the event not only as one that celebrated wellness but also showcased the power of collective action.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
