Gudivada Hosts Community Yoga Drive Ahead of International Yoga Day

As part of the Andhra Pradesh government's flagship Yogandhra 2026 campaign ahead of the 12th International Day of Yoga , a large-scale yoga programme was organized for lorry and auto drivers at NTR Stadium, Gudivada , on Wednesday. Conducted under the leadership of local drivers' associations, the event witnessed enthusiastic participation from transport workers and citizens, reinforcing the state's effort to transform yoga into a mass wellness movement.

The programme was attended by Krishna District Collector D.K. Balaji , Gudivada MLA Venigandla Ramu , Andhra Pradesh State Warehousing Corporation Chairman Ravi Venkateswara Rao , Joint Collector M. Naveen , RDO G. Balasubrahmanyam , and several other officials and public representatives.

Addressing the gathering, MLA Venigandla Ramu described yoga as a pathway to a healthy, disciplined, and balanced life. He noted that both Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regularly begin their day with yoga, attributing their energy, focus, and active lifestyles to the practice. He said yoga plays a vital role in preserving physical fitness, mental well-being, flexibility, and concentration , particularly as people grow older. Calling yoga one of India's greatest gifts to humanity, he urged people to make it a daily habit and contribute towards building a healthier society.

Speaking on the occasion, Collector D.K. Balaji emphasized the importance of preventive healthcare , stating that preventing diseases through healthy habits is far more effective than relying solely on treatment after illness strikes. He said yoga serves as a powerful tool in combating lifestyle-related ailments and improving overall quality of life. The Collector noted that the state government is conducting the Yogandhra initiative for the second consecutive year with the objective of taking yoga to every section of society.

The event also featured cultural and fitness performances. Students of Puritigadda ZPHS presented an impressive yoga dance programme under the guidance of yoga instructors Shesha Prasanna and Nagaraju . Yoga trainer K. Chandu captivated the audience with special yoga demonstrations showcasing advanced postures and techniques. Participants who displayed exceptional talent were felicitated by the Collector and MLA with ceremonial shawls.

This year's campaign is building on the extraordinary success of Yogandhra 2025 , which elevated Andhra Pradesh onto the global stage during the International Day of Yoga celebrations. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the world's largest-ever yoga gathering in Visakhapatnam , where more than 3 lakh participants performed yoga simultaneously along a 26-kilometre stretch of the city's coastline, creating a Guinness World Record for the Largest Yoga Lesson . Guinness World Records officially recognized the event with 300,105 participants , making it the largest yoga class ever conducted at a single venue.

The state achieved another Guinness World Record when 22,122 tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes in a synchronized display at Andhra University. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu later announced that Andhra Pradesh had secured a total of 23 global records , including two Guinness World Records and 21 World Book of Records entries , during the month-long yoga celebrations.

The month-long Yogandhra campaign in 2025 drew participation from more than 2.17 crore people across the state , turning yoga into a widespread public movement involving students, employees, farmers, professionals, women, senior citizens, and community organizations. The initiative received national recognition, with Prime Minister Modi praising Andhra Pradesh for demonstrating how yoga can unite people across age groups, professions, and backgrounds.

With district-level events now being conducted across Andhra Pradesh under Yogandhra 2026 , the government is aiming to sustain that momentum and further expand awareness about the benefits of yoga. Officials believe that regular yoga practice can play a significant role in reducing lifestyle diseases, improving mental health, and promoting holistic well-being, while strengthening the culture of preventive healthcare across the state.