Andhra Pradesh on a record-setting spree!
Tribal girls performing mass Dhimsa dance during the launch of ASR International Airport in Bhogapuram.
North Andhra Pradesh sets multiple Guinness World Records in mass Yoga, Surya Namaskarams, and Dhimsa dance during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to Visakhapatnam.
Visakhapatnam: It appears that whenever Prime Minister Narendra Modi sets foot in the north Andhra region, it paves the way for setting a world record.
After the TDP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) came to power in Andhra Pradesh in 2024, the state government has made efforts to achieve a record each time Modi visits the City of Destiny. The responsibility for the hassle-free execution of the record-setting feats rested with IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh.
The Prime Minister, on his latest visit, was impressed to witness the records achieved by tribal students twice in the undivided Visakhapatnam district.
As Andhra Pradesh takes a huge leap towards building an ecosystem for big-ticket investors and global companies, it is also paying equal attention to setting records, albeit quietly.
With clear-cut goals, extensive preparations, elaborate plans, and effective execution that leaves no room for mistakes, the state government, in coordination with the departments concerned, focused on setting records. From the largest participation in the ‘Yogandhra’ to the tribal students’ mass demonstration of Surya Namaskarams and the performance of a mammoth Dhimsa during the launch of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh has made its presence felt in the global platforms through a bunch of record-setting accomplishments.
Last year, just a day before the 'International Day for Yoga', over 22,000 tribal students from the Alluri Sitarama Raju district set a new record by exhibiting their ‘Surya Namaskaram’ skills at the Andhra University Engineering College grounds.
Spreading yoga mats and demonstrating the set of postures, the 108-Surya Namaskarams (Sun salutations) were completed in just 108 minutes.
Among the participants, a majority of them were girls. The massive demonstration secured entry in the Guinness World Records.
Planned and led by HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh as part of the ‘Yogandhra’ celebrations, the event was meticulously executed by the then ASR District Collector A.S. Dinesh Kumar, with yoga trainers, tribal welfare officers and PTEs preparing the students for the mega exercise.
In April 2025, tribal students studying in various educational institutions of ASR district broke a record by performing mass Surya Namaskaram at a single stage. Dominated by girls, the event witnessed over 14,000 girls alongside 8,000-plus boys, performing Surya Namaskaram on a single stage organised in Araku Valley to mark the ‘World Health Day’.
“Apparently, the rigorous practice led to visible changes among tribal students who are extremely hard-working and well-disciplined. However, they feel a little insecure about showcasing their creativity. Through the mass Surya Namaskaram record, we aimed at bringing about behavioural changes among them by giving them an opportunity to gain global recognition, building confidence levels so that they realise they are no less compared to urban students in achieving the records,” then Collector of Alluri Sitarama Raju district AS Dinesh Kumar shared with ‘The Hans India’, adding that even some of the health-related issues were addressed through the daily practice of yoga.
Likewise, the 11th International Yoga Day turned out to be special for apparent reasons. One, people got a chance to perform yoga along with the Prime Minister at a single location. Two, the City of Destiny was chosen as the national host for the 11th edition of the IYD. Three, the state government aimed at promoting wellness among households.
On June 21, 2025, Andhra Pradesh achieved an entry in the Guinness World Records for the mass yoga demonstrations carried out at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam.
The presentation of mass Dhimsa dance, involving over 13,000 Adivasi girls from various villages, earned another Guinness World Records entry for Andhra Pradesh during the inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. Extensive groundwork, practice and rehearsals went into the largest Dhimsa presentation.
According to officials, every minute detail was given importance while presenting the tribal dance.
