Enthusiasm exceeds expectations as Yogandhra events draw to close

Visakhapatnam: A month-long series of Yogandhra events held across Andhra Pradesh in the lead-up to International Yoga Day sparked a remarkable groundswell of enthusiasm, culminating in an unprecedented turnout in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

The main event in the city witnessed a significant last-minute surge, with thousands of people spontaneously joining from nearby colonies and neighbourhoods. Every designated venue across the city brimmed with eager participants, radiating a palpable sense of collective spirit. Roads were lined with green carpets, yoga mats were distributed widely, and yet the sheer volume of impromptu attendees far exceeded initial estimates.

While the scale of participation was extraordinary, sources clarified that the Guinness World Records would only consider those who had pre-registered and entered the designated zones by scanning their QR codes. The official count stood at over three lakh participants. However, the actual number was likely far higher, as thousands joined without prior registration, driven purely by enthusiasm and the day's significance.

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu said the month-long programmes have successfully disseminated the message of yoga's health and well-being benefits to communities across the state. "It was truly remarkable to witness people arriving at the venue as early as 2 am on Saturday. Interestingly, participation was entirely voluntary, and in overwhelming numbers. The theme-based programmes and mass events conducted in recent weeks played a vital role in embedding the values of preventive health and holistic wellness into public consciousness," said Naidu.

Dr Rambabu, assistant director of the animal husbandry department from Narsipatnam, who was deputed at one of the event venues, shared his experience of overseeing operations. "I was assigned a team of 674 personnel to manage logistics and support services. It was a rare opportunity to witness the orchestration of an event on such a grand scale," he said.

LED screens set up in nearly every compartment ensured that the messages of prime minister Narendra Modi, chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and deputy CM Pawan Kalyan from the main venue on the RK beach reached all attendees seamlessly.