Visakhapatnam to Host 11th International Day of Yoga 2025 – Major Review Held by Ministry of Ayush

Key Points for SSC, UPSC & Other Government Exams

  • The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) will be hosted by Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in 2025.
  • Ministry of Ayush and Government of Andhra Pradesh are jointly coordinating preparations.
  • The Yogandhra initiative aims to reach over 2 crore people in Andhra Pradesh.
  • Main venues: RK Beach, Rishikonda Beach, Andhra University, GITAM University.
  • Mass participation target: 5 lakh people in Visakhapatnam, 1 lakh locations across Andhra Pradesh.
  • Focus on “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” theme in 2025.

Complete Details: Visakhapatnam Gears Up for International Day of Yoga 2025

Visakhapatnam Selected as National Host for IDY 2025

Visakhapatnam has been selected as the national venue for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2025. This marks the 10th anniversary of India’s leadership in promoting yoga globally. Senior officials from the Ministry of Ayush and Government of Andhra Pradesh recently conducted a crucial review meeting to ensure seamless preparation for this large-scale event.

Ground-Level Inspection by Top Officials

The review team, led by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha (Secretary, Ministry of Ayush) and Shri K. Vijayanand (Special Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh), visited key locations:

  • RK Beach
  • Rishikonda Beach
  • Andhra University
  • GITAM University

These venues will host the main yoga demonstrations as well as cultural, educational, and wellness programs.

Yogandhra Initiative – Mass Yoga Awareness

Andhra Pradesh launched Yogandhra, an ambitious program to:

  • Encourage daily yoga practice among 2 crore people.
  • Certify 20 lakh yoga practitioners.
  • Organize yoga activities at 1 lakh locations across the state.

This aligns with the Prime Minister’s goal of making yoga a mass movement, inclusive and transformative.

Key Focus of the Review Meeting

The meeting emphasized:

  • Inter-departmental coordination between health, urban planning, police, Ayush, and VMRDA.
  • Security protocols for the mega event.
  • Mobilization strategies to ensure large-scale public participation.
  • Infrastructure readiness at venues.

The Ministry of Ayush praised Andhra Pradesh’s proactive steps and community-level engagement.

Important Facts about Andhra Pradesh (For Exams)

  • Capital: Amaravati (proposed), Hyderabad (temporary)
  • Chief Minister: N. Chandrababu Naidu (as of 2025)
  • Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
  • Major Rivers: Godavari, Krishna, Penna
  • Important National Parks:
    • Papikonda National Park
    • Sri Venkateswara National Park
    • Rajiv Gandhi National Park
  • Famous Beaches: RK Beach, Rishikonda Beach
  • Major University: Andhra University, GITAM University

MCQs for SSC, UPSC and State Exams

1. Which city will host the national celebrations of the 11th International Day of Yoga in 2025?
A) Chennai
B) Visakhapatnam
C) Mumbai
D) Bengaluru
Answer: B) Visakhapatnam

2. The Yogandhra initiative aims to reach how many people in Andhra Pradesh?
A) 1 crore
B) 2 crore
C) 5 crore
D) 50 lakh
Answer: B) 2 crore

3. Who is the Secretary of Ministry of Ayush as of 2025?
A) Monalisa Dash
B) Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha
C) K. Vijayanand
D) M.N. Harendhira Prasad
Answer: B) Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha

4. What is the theme of International Day of Yoga 2025?
A) Yoga for Health
B) Yoga for Humanity
C) Yoga for One Earth, One Health
D) Yoga for Peace
Answer: C) Yoga for One Earth, One Health

5. Which of the following is a venue for IDY 2025 celebrations in Visakhapatnam?
A) Marina Beach
B) RK Beach
C) Kovalam Beach
D) Juhu Beach
Answer: B) RK Beach

UPSC Style FAQs (with Answer Writing Format)

Q1: Discuss the significance of Visakhapatnam hosting the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025.

Answer:
The selection of Visakhapatnam as the national host for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 holds multi-dimensional significance. Firstly, it reflects the government’s intent to promote yoga beyond traditional hubs like Delhi and showcase the coastal city’s potential for large-scale public events. The move aligns with the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, emphasizing yoga’s role in global wellness.

Secondly, it enables Andhra Pradesh to demonstrate community-driven models like the Yogandhra initiative, aimed at embedding yoga in daily life through mass awareness campaigns and certification programs. Lastly, it highlights the strategic collaboration between the Ministry of Ayush, the state government, and civic bodies, promoting the integration of health, culture, and education through yoga.

Q2: Examine the role of inter-departmental coordination in the successful organization of mass events like IDY 2025.

Answer:
Inter-departmental coordination is critical for the success of mega-events like IDY 2025. In the case of Visakhapatnam, coordination involves multiple stakeholders: health, police, urban planning, Ayush, and tourism departments. Such synergy ensures that infrastructure is prepared, security protocols are robust, and public participation is streamlined. The review meeting underscored this by focusing on venue readiness, crowd management, and cultural integration, reflecting a holistic approach to event management. Effective coordination also embodies cooperative federalism, where central and state agencies work together towards national objectives.

Q3: How does the Yogandhra initiative reflect the evolving vision of the International Day of Yoga?

Answer:
The Yogandhra initiative exemplifies the evolving vision of the International Day of Yoga by transforming it from a ceremonial event to a mass movement. Unlike earlier editions focused primarily on symbolic demonstrations, Yogandhra aims to embed yoga into daily routines across communities. Its goal of reaching over 2 crore citizens and certifying 20 lakh practitioners represents an inclusive, grassroots model that resonates with the Prime Minister’s call for last-mile wellness outreach. This shift highlights how IDY is increasingly seen as a tool for social transformation, not just cultural diplomacy.