Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 11th International Day of Yoga this June 21 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, delivering a one-of-a-kind celebration that blended mass participation, record-breaking ambition, and regional pride.
🌊 A Grand Celebration by the Sea
The iconic Ramakrishna (RK) Beach and adjoining coastal corridor—stretching nearly 26 km from RK Beach to Bhogapuram and Bheemunipatnam—served as the stage for a yoga spectacle. Over 3 lakh people joined the central session alongside PM Modi, spread across 326 compartments each accommodating roughly 1,000 participants.
Security was robust: more than 10,000 personnel, including NSG and local forces, managed the event, supported by 1,200+ CCTV cameras, drones, and multiple control rooms.
Record-Breaker Aspirations
Andhra Pradesh aimed sky-high—seeking not just a world record for a single venue gathering of 2.5 lakh participants, surpassing Surat’s 2023 record of 1.53 lakh, but also aspiring to engage 5 lakh in Vizag and 2 crore statewide.
Nationwide, over 2 crore people took part in synchronized “Yoga Sangam” sessions across more than 1 lakh locations.
“Yoga for One Earth, One Health” Theme
This year’s theme highlighted global wellness and environmental balance. Rooted in the Sanskrit ideal “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease), it emphasized the synergy between planetary and personal health.
Building Momentum: The “Yoga Month” Strategy
The state launched a Yoga Month (May 21–June 21) to mobilize trainers and participants. Over 5,000 master trainers, 144,000 certified instructors, and 1,200 students from Andhra University led pre-event training and certification drives. Activities extended to Anganwadis, village secretariats, and schools under the “Yogandhra-2025” campaign.
Inclusive Community Engagement
- Tribal beneficiaries: 22,000+ tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars, breaking a Guinness World Record, and reflecting deep cultural inclusion.
- Eastern Naval Command: Over 11,000 naval, Coast Guard, and civilian personnel joined on land and sea, with yoga performed aboard vessels off RK Beach.
- Geographic diversity: Yoga rang from high-altitude Ladakh (ITBP at Pangong Tso) to the Yamuna River in Delhi, the Red Fort, and international peacekeeping exercises in Mongolia.
Leadership & Vision
Modi urged Gram Pradhans to lead local celebrations, advocating grassroots ownership. The state’s Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized delivering a “historic, unforgettable” event that positions yoga as integral to wellness, education, and tourism.
Andhra University’s 1,200 trained students played key roles in guiding the session, as the institution signaled intent to embed yoga into its curriculum.
Reflections on Impact
- Wellness uplift: This massive practice under a consistent protocol showcased the potential of yoga to support a healthy body and mind.
- Tourism boost: Yoga programs at heritage sites revived interest in regional culture and tourism.
- Institutionalization: The certification of millions marks a clear shift towards formal integration of yoga in education and community life.
Concluding Thoughts
Modi’s presence in Visakhapatnam turned International Yoga Day into a visual and symbolic feast—harmonized poses on a cultural coastline, marked by security precision, administrative backing, and grassroots momentum. Anchored in “One Earth, One Health,” the event transcended a mere gathering—it was a clarion call for integrating wellness, environment, and inner serenity into India’s national identity.