12th International Day of Yoga celebrated in Visakhapatnam district Sunday, drawing participants from government agencies,schools,and defense organizations. Event underscored yoga's growing role in boosting physical and mental health.
Initially set for R.K. Beach,district-level Yogandhra program moved to Sagarika Convention Hall due to bad weather. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha attended, stressing state's push for a healthier Andhra Pradesh. She urged people to make yoga a daily habit and announced a fortnight-long Yogandhra campaign to spread practice statewide.
Anitha called yoga "India’s invaluable gift to the world." Event featured mass yoga demos and a ceremony for honoring instructors and winners. Notables like Palla Srinivasa Rao, Gajuwaka MLA and TDP AP State president, District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore, and Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi attended .
Beyond civilian institutions, Indian Coast Guard held yoga session for about 400 personnel and families. Additional Director General Donny Michael highlighted yoga's fitness and stress-reduction benefits. At Hindustan Shipyard Limited,employees celebrated under “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” theme,with Chairman Capt. Ganti Venkateswarlu urging staff to adopt yoga lifelong .
In Central Prison Visakhapatnam, around 1,200 inmates and 80 staff took part in yoga,meditation. Superintendent M. Mahesh Babu noted yoga's positive impact on rehabilitation, discipline,emotional balance.
Educational institutions joined too,with Heartfulness meditation and yoga in Social Welfare Department hostels,including Bheemunipatnam. Deputy Director K. Rama Rao and Heartfulness Society reps told students yoga,meditation boost concentration, mental health,responsible citizenship.
Officials said district's widespread participation mirrored a collective drive for healthier lifestyles through yoga, hinting at its growing importance in today's world…
