Month-long events lined up to celebrate ‘Yogandhra’

District Collector Harendhira Prasad along with Joint Collector Mayur Ashok, Visakhapatnam West MLA P.G.V.R Naidu alias Gana Babu, Commissioner of Police, Shankabratha Bagchi perform yogasanas at the inaugural of the ‘Yoga Month’ programme at Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad launched the “Yogandhra Campaign” on Wednesday morning at R.K. Beach, marking the beginning of a month-long series of events up to International Yoga Day. The curtain-raiser event witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large number of citizens.

Mr. Prasad said: “To make this year’s International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam a historic and record-breaking event, extensive preparations are underway. The main event, scheduled for June 21, will be graced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with the Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Ministers, and other dignitaries. The celebrations will span from R.K. Beach to Bheemunipatnam, Bhogapuram, up to Srikakulam. Nearly two crore people from the state, including five lakh people from North Andhra, will be engaged.”

To ensure widespread participation and preparedness, the district administration has lined up a series of training programmes beginning May 21 to 27, District-level Training of Trainers (ToTs), and mandal-level master trainers’ training will be held. Additionally, there will be village and ward-level training sessions and awareness campaigns. From June 16 to 21, demonstrations will be organised at several identified locations. Mr Prasad said: “Competitions will be held, and certificates will be given through the National Institute of Yoga. We have also organised special yoga sessions, including aqua yoga and yoga for the visually impaired. There are prizes for the winners.”

The event will see collaboration across key departments including General Administration, Education, Secretariat, Tourism, IT, Sports. A dedicated website and mobile app will soon be launched for registrations.

The curtain-raiser event Among the participants include Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, Government Whips Vepada Chiranjeevi Rao, PGVR Naidu (Ganababu), Commissioner of Police, Shankabratha Bagchi.