Yoga Campaign – Andhra Pradesh Launches Ambitious Statewide Wellness Drive
Yoga Campaign – Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday unveiled Yogandhra-2026, a large-scale 14-day campaign designed to encourage the regular practice of yoga throughout the state. Speaking in Amaravati, he described yoga as one of India’s most valuable contributions to the world and emphasized its importance in addressing stress, anxiety, and modern lifestyle-related health concerns.
Vision to Make Yoga a Daily Habit
The Chief Minister said the initiative aims to transform yoga from an annual observance into a routine part of everyday life. The government intends to promote yoga at the household level and strengthen its role in public health under the broader Swarna Andhra Vision-2047 framework.
This year’s International Day of Yoga, which marks its 12th edition, is centered on the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” The state administration has set an ambitious participation target of one crore residents. According to Naidu, the objective is to establish yoga as a widespread wellness movement that contributes to building a healthier society.
Statewide Activities Planned Across Districts
Yogandhra-2026 will be conducted from June 7 to June 20, covering every district in Andhra Pradesh. One of the major highlights will be a large yoga demonstration on the Krishna River West Bypass Bridge in Amaravati, where around 25,000 people are expected to participate.
District administrations have been assigned unique themes for local events. Programs involving between 2,000 and 3,000 participants will be organized across districts, while certain sessions will be tailored for specific groups. For example, dedicated yoga events have been planned for police personnel in NTR District and for farmers in Konaseema District.
Focus on Tourism and Community Engagement
To combine wellness promotion with tourism, yoga sessions will also be organized at 56 prominent tourist and spiritual destinations across the state. Locations such as Undavalli Caves and Srisailam have been selected to host special activities intended to attract visitors while spreading awareness about yoga.
The government has earmarked ₹10 crore to support infrastructure development, publicity campaigns, and event management. District Collectors have been issued guidelines to ensure that yoga-related activities continue throughout the year rather than remaining limited to the campaign period.
Special Efforts to Involve Youth and Students
Authorities are introducing targeted programs to increase participation among young people, women, and students. The state has set a goal of creating 10 lakh certified yoga practitioners while expanding the pool of trainers to 2.5 lakh.
Training and educational resources will be delivered through the AP Yoga Prachar Parishad, the Sanjeevani App, and Habuild WhatsApp communities. In support of these efforts, June has been designated as “Yoga Month” across the state.
Digital Resources and Educational Integration
State Government Advisor Dr. Manthena Satyanarayana Raju has developed more than 168 instructional videos covering yoga techniques, preventive health measures, and daily wellness practices. Residents can access these materials through a dedicated WhatsApp service.
The administration has also appealed to social media creators, television broadcasters, and cable operators to share the educational content without charge in order to maximize public outreach.
In addition, steps are being taken to introduce yoga into school and college education systems, with the aim of encouraging healthier lifestyles among future generations.
Building on Previous Success
A dedicated online platform, the Yogandhra Portal, has been introduced to provide registration facilities, event schedules, and training information. The campaign will also work in coordination with the Sanjeevani Project and several prominent wellness organizations.
Naidu noted that the previous edition of Yogandhra brought significant recognition to Andhra Pradesh. Events held in Visakhapatnam last year, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulted in multiple international and national record achievements and awards.
Official figures indicate that 2.44 crore people registered for the earlier campaign, while 1.91 crore participants received certificates. The initiative was conducted at more than 1.33 lakh venues with support from over 1.53 lakh trainers. The state government also reported that 2.18 crore residents currently engage in yoga activities through Wellness Centres and AYUSH Centres.
The Chief Minister said yoga supports physical health, mental well-being, and personal development, adding that the government remains committed to making it a regular part of everyday life for people across Andhra Pradesh.