Yogandhra 2026 bags World Book of Records honour

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh’s flagship wellness programme, Yogandhra 2026, has earned international recognition from the World Book of Records, London, for its massive public participation and statewide promotion of yoga. The recognition was presented to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu by Dr. Ullaji Eliazer, Joint Secretary (South Region) of the World Book of Records.

The Chief Minister dedicated the honour to the AYUSH Department and all officials, trainers and volunteers who contributed to the success of the initiative. Yogandhra 2026 was launched with a target of enrolling 1.05 crore participants. However, the campaign exceeded expectations, registering more than 1.07 crore yoga enthusiasts across the state.

According to AYUSH Director Ronanki Gopalakrishna, the programme was implemented through a vast network of 7,745 Master Trainers, 2.61 lakh Yoga Trainers and 511 Yoga Gurus. To facilitate large-scale participation, the government identified 1,32,183 yoga centres capable of accommodating nearly 1.45 crore people.

The campaign also featured 26 thematic yoga demonstrations involving over 35,600 participants and yoga programmes at 55 tourist destinations that attracted nearly 60,000 people. Competitions were conducted from village and ward levels up to the state level, with 66 winners selected as Yoga Brand Ambassadors from among 372 finalists.

Addressing International Yoga Day celebrations at Vijayawada’s Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in the presence of yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Chandrababu Naidu reiterated the government’s vision of building a “Healthy, Wealthy and Happy Andhra Pradesh.” He announced plans to establish permanent Yoga Mandirs in Swarna Gram and Swarna Ward offices, appoint yoga officers at district and mandal levels, and launch a dedicated Yogandhra Portal.

The Chief Minister also announced that the upcoming Sanjeevani health initiative, scheduled for launch on August 15, will integrate yoga and preventive healthcare. He urged citizens to devote at least one hour daily to yoga, meditation and pranayama for better health.

With two World Book of Records recognitions for mobilising over 1.07 crore participants and more than 2.5 lakh trainers, Yogandhra 2026 has emerged as one of the largest wellness movements in the country. The state government has already announced that Yogandhra 2027 will be hosted in Tirupati.

AP to set up yoga halls, launch Yogandhra portal

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on International Yoga Day announced a series of measures to strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s yoga movement, including the establishment of permanent yoga halls and the launch of a dedicated Yogandhra portal.

Participating in the state-level celebrations at the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium alongside yoga guru Baba Ramdev, Naidu said yoga, meditation and pranayama should become part of everyday life to improve public health and reduce dependence on hospitals.

He said yoga halls would be set up in Swarna Gram and ward secretariat offices, while district and mandal-level officials would monitor yoga programmes. An expert committee will also be formed to develop standard yoga protocols.

Naidu said more than one crore people are practising yoga at over 1.3 lakh centres across the state. He announced that the Sanjeevani project, to be launched from August 15, will integrate yoga and wellness activities. The Chief Minister also declared that Andhra Pradesh will host next year’s International Yoga Day celebrations in Tirupati.