Visakhapatnam has been chosen to host the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the principal event. This year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," aligns with the vision of India's G20 Presidency. The event is poised to be a historic celebration, aiming to bring together over 500,000 participants practicing yoga at a single venue, with representatives from approximately 40 countries anticipated to attend.
Aiming for a Guinness World Record
TDP-led NDA coalition government has set its sights on achieving a Guinness World Record by gathering 500,000 individuals performing yoga simultaneously at RK Beach. In addition to the main event in Visakhapatnam, yoga activities will be held at over 100,000 locations throughout Andhra Pradesh under the "Yogandhra" initiative, engaging an estimated 20 million participants, with 21.7 million already registered. The Ministry of Ayush has emphasized that IDY 2025 represents a global call to expand the reach of yoga, with activities already initiated in over 60 countries.
PM Modi to Lead Yoga Event at RK Beach
The central event featuring Prime Minister Modi will take place at RK Beach, which spans a 26-kilometer coastline extending from RK Beach to Bheemili. He will lead the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session during this main gathering. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a prominent advocate and practitioner of yoga. He played a pivotal role in the global promotion of International Yoga Day, which was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 as a result of his initiative. Attendees are expected to include State Governor Sayed Abdul Nazeer, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and various other ministers and officials.
A contingency plan has been established to address the potential for heavy rainfall, with a large rainproof tent (German hangars) being constructed at the Andhra University Engineering College grounds to accommodate approximately 15,000 participants for an indoor session. A comprehensive mock session is scheduled for June 20 to ensure the event runs smoothly. With representatives from around 40 countries in attendance, this underscores the growing global recognition of the Yoga Day celebrations.
Yoga for One Earth, One Health
The Ministry of Ayush is employing digital tools, grassroots mobilization, and international partnerships to reinforce the message of "Yoga for One Earth, One Health." The planning process prioritizes broad and inclusive participation, security, and logistical efficiency for this significant global event. Additionally, the Indian Navy will display 11 ships off RK Beach in honour of the occasion, with yoga demonstrations also taking place aboard these vessels.
One Month Long "Yogandhra" Campaign
A month-long initiative scheduled from May 21 to June 21 seeks to engage two crore individuals statewide through comprehensive yoga sessions. Approximately 3,000 master trainers have been prepared in collaboration with the National Institute of Yoga and the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (Delhi), which have trained around 1.5 lakh local trainers.
Special Arrangements in Visakha Sea Shore
Special arrangements have been implemented for VIP guests, featuring designated routes and parking facilities. To ensure effective crowd management along the journey from RK Beach to Bhogapuram, specialized compartments are being organized, incorporating 607 urban secretariats. An estimated 300,000 individuals are anticipated to participate in yoga simultaneously along the 26-kilometer stretch, with an additional 200,000 joining from 15 other locations throughout the city. Yoga mats will be distributed for 350,000 participants, along with T-shirts for 500,000 attendees. Registration will be facilitated through a QR-code system to monitor attendance effectively.
For public transportation, approximately 12,000 buses will be deployed, comprising 3,500 from APSRTC and 8,500 private buses, with specific routes designated for each district. These buses are scheduled to arrive between midnight and 5 AM on June 21, and participants will need to walk a short distance to reach their allocated yoga compartments.
To maintain security, around 6,000 police personnel will be assigned to the event, while 30,000 government staff members will manage various logistical aspects. Additionally, approximately 12,000 volunteers, including National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and local Vizag volunteers (at a rate of 10 per 1,000 participants), will be mobilized to support the event.
Visakhapatnam Yoga Day Declaration
A formal declaration will be issued outlining the roles of both Central and State governments in promoting yoga. The government is advocating for the integration of yoga into daily routines and plans to introduce it in schools starting from Class IX, accompanied by trained instructors and medical support.
