Vizag gears up for IYD celebrations at four different venues

Visakhapatnam: This year, International Yoga Day is set to be celebrated at different venues focusing on diverse themes.

As part of it, extensive arrangements are underway in Visakhapatnam with the district administration planning four special yoga programmes scheduled for June 9, 12, 15 and 21 in line with this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’.

The initiatives aim to promote awareness about yoga, encourage participation from various sections of society and urge them to embrace yoga as an integral part of their lives. As part of the celebrations, a special programme themed ‘Ex-Servicemen’ will be conducted on June 9 at 6 a.m. at the Navy Fleet Sports Ground near the Satavahana Last Bus Stop.

Around 600 participants are expected to take part, including 300 personnel from the Navy, 200 NCC cadets, 50 members from the Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Section and 50 from district departments. The DRDA Project Director has been entrusted with coordinating the event as the nodal officer.

Special yoga sessions are scheduled for June 12 and 15 at the district’s prominent tourist destinations, Rushikonda and Golf Club at Mudasarlova, respectively.

Each programme is expected to draw around 500 participants, adding momentum to the district-wide Yoga Day celebrations.

Preparations have also begun for the grand yoga event slated for June 21, which will be conducted as part of the state-level International Yoga Day celebrations.

Nearly 1,000 participants are expected to join the programme, making it one of the largest yoga gatherings in the district. To ensure the successful conduct of all events, officials have been directed to work in close coordination with concerned departments and make hassle-free arrangements.

The tourism department and other concerned wings have been tasked with providing necessary infrastructure, security measures and facilities for the participants at the venues. Officers and staff from various departments, youth organisations and voluntary groups have been encouraged to participate actively and contribute to the success of the major event.

District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore called for coordinated efforts from the concerned departments to ensure smooth organisation of the International Yoga Day programmes across the district.