Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to integrate Yoga with the Sanjeevani initiative and take wellness practices to every household ahead of International Yoga Day celebrations.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to integrate yoga with the State government's Sanjeevani public health initiative and transform Yogandhra into a mass movement aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and wellness across Andhra Pradesh.
During a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Wednesday, the Chief Minister assessed preparations for the International Yoga Day celebrations scheduled for June 21 and instructed officials to ensure that yoga reaches every household in the State.
Emphasising the role of yoga in improving public health, Mr. Naidu called for a comprehensive strategy that combines wellness practices with preventive healthcare measures. He directed officials to prepare a year-long action plan under the theme "Yoga for Every Household" and ensure widespread public participation in yoga activities.
The Chief Minister also suggested instituting special awards from next year to honour outstanding yoga master trainers for their contribution to promoting yoga and healthy lifestyles. Additionally, he instructed officials to design and implement a dedicated "Therapeutic Yoga" programme to help individuals suffering from chronic ailments and lifestyle-related health issues.
As part of the Yoga Day celebrations, renowned yoga guru Baba Ramdev will participate in a special yoga programme along with the Chief Minister near the Undavalli Caves on June 20. The main state-level International Yoga Day event will be organised at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada on June 21.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that arrangements are being made for the participation of around 5,000 to 6,000 people at the stadium event. Both Mr. Naidu and Baba Ramdev are expected to attend the programme. As a precaution against adverse weather conditions, alternative arrangements have been made to conduct the event at Ambedkar Kala Vedika in Vijayawada with around 1,000 participants.
Officials also informed the Chief Minister that Baba Ramdev will arrive in Andhra Pradesh on June 19 and is scheduled to meet him ahead of the yoga events.
Providing updates on Yogandhra activities, officials stated that nearly 2.6 lakh trainers have already been trained across the State. Registrations for Yoga Day participation have crossed the one-crore mark, reflecting growing public enthusiasm for the initiative.
To further expand outreach, yoga programmes will be organised simultaneously at 1.33 lakh centres across Andhra Pradesh on June 21. State-level yoga competitions are also being conducted in Vijayawada from June 18 to 20 as part of the celebrations.
The Chief Minister was informed that a special "Yoga @ Destination" calendar will be released on International Yoga Day. The calendar will outline yoga-related events, wellness activities and tourism-linked destinations across the State until the next International Yoga Day celebrations.
Government Advisor Manthena Satyanarayana Raju, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Commissioner Chakradhar Babu, NTR District Collector Lakshmi Sha, Ayush Director Ronanki Gopalakrishna and other senior officials attended the review meeting.
