PM Modi leads International Yoga Day 2025 celebrations in Visakhapatnam. Over 3 lakh participants join Yoga Sangam. Read about Andhra Pradesh’s role in structured yoga education.
Visakhapatnam, June 21, 2025 — On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led one of the largest yoga gatherings in the world at RK Beach, Visakhapatnam. With the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, this year’s celebrations emphasized the role of yoga in promoting both personal well-being and global environmental harmony.
Over 3 Lakh Participants Join PM Modi at Yoga Sangam
The highlight of the event was the mass yoga session where over three lakh people practiced yoga along a 26-kilometer stretch from RK Beach to Bheemili. The event was part of the Yoga Sangam initiative launched by the Andhra Pradesh government, which saw more than one lakh yoga sessions organized across the state.
This mega event was the culmination of Yoga Andhra 2025, a month-long campaign involving over 1.5 lakh trained yoga instructors and participation from more than 2 crore people across Andhra Pradesh.
Andhra Pradesh: The Birthplace of Structured Yoga Education
Andhra Pradesh has played a pioneering role in institutionalizing yoga in India. In 1987, it became one of the first states to pass a law that formalized structured yoga education. This historic move led to the establishment of certified yoga training programs, integration of yoga in schools, and community-level awareness that has only grown over the years.
Today’s massive turnout stands as a testimony to the state’s long-standing commitment to making yoga an accessible and inclusive practice.
Highlights from today’s Yoga Day programme in Visakhapatnam…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2025
Urging you all to make Yoga a part of your daily lives. You’ll see how transformative it is! pic.twitter.com/4LECTGnWjh
International Yoga Day 2025: PM Modi Highlights Yoga’s Global Impact
Addressing the massive gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Yoga is not just a physical practice; it is a spiritual journey that brings harmony between mind, body, and environment. In a world full of stress and uncertainty, yoga is our greatest gift to humanity.”
He added that the global recognition of International Yoga Day reflects India’s ability to unite the world through its ancient wisdom.
Universities, Armed Forces, and Global Visitors Participate
Andhra University deployed 1,200 student yoga instructors and hosted over 17,000 participants, including 200 international visitors. The event also saw enthusiastic participation from school children, college students, civil servants, and members of the Eastern Naval Command.
More than 11,000 naval personnel practiced yoga along the coast and even onboard Indian naval ships, showcasing the widespread acceptance of yoga as part of India’s national identity.
International Yoga Day 2025: Technology, Transparency, and Participation
The Andhra Pradesh government used QR codes and geo-tagged images to verify and document attendance, ensuring transparency in reporting participation numbers across the state.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu praised the efforts of every district, school, college, and village that contributed to making Yoga Andhra 2025 a historic success.
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International Yoga Day 2025: A Call for Daily Yoga Practice
Union Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, who attended the event, urged citizens to adopt yoga as a daily health practice, not just an annual ritual. He emphasized the scientific benefits of yoga for mental health, stress management, and physical fitness, aligning ancient practices with modern-day health needs.
Conclusion: From India to the World, One Breath at a Time
Prime Minister Modi concluded his speech by calling on people to move from “Me to We”, stressing the need for collective wellness. He encouraged world leaders to adopt yoga as part of public health and climate strategies, reiterating India’s role as a global spiritual leader.
With a mix of tradition, scale, and innovation, the International Yoga Day 2025 celebration in Visakhapatnam has set a new benchmark in public health campaigns and reaffirmed India’s legacy of wellness and unity.