Visakhapatnam, Jun 16 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday called on everyone in the state to work towards making the International Yoga Day, which will be held in Vizag, on June 21, a grand success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend the event.
If needed, Andhra University will serve as a backup venue for the main event stretching from Kalimata Temple to Park Hotel junction, the CM said.
"Everyone should strive for the grand success of this programme (yoga day) which is being conducted in the southern state based on the suggestions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Naidu, addressing a press conference in the port city.
According to the CM, Modi suggested that it would be good if yoga day was held in Andhra Pradesh this year, which prompted the former to promise him that the state would take it up and make it a success.
Further, Naidu called for proclaiming a declaration on yoga day to make yoga a part of everyday life. Yoga must start from Class 9 onwards, he added.
He directed officials, ministers, and MLAs to ensure that there is no room for error in the conduct of the mega event and instructed them to take all precautions.
Likewise, he said people arriving for yoga day should be guided well and the buses ferrying participants should drop them at the nearest possible location to the venue.
Over 3,000 buses are expected to ferry yoga enthusiasts to the venue in Vizag. All participants should reach their respective places between 6 am and 6.30 am on yoga day, he said.
He said that yoga demonstrations will be held on 11 Navy ships near RK Beach.
The CM said that apart from providing basic facilities like toilets and transport, trainers and doctors will be available and five lakh t-shirts will be distributed for participants.
The TDP supremo said mats for 3.5 lakh people have been arranged, adding that this is an attempt for a Guinness World Record and recognition from the World Book of Records.
On June 21, yoga sessions will be conducted at one lakh locations across Andhra Pradesh, aiming for participation from two crore people, including students and citizens statewide. The government also aims to attract five lakh people to participate in yoga activities in Vizag.
The CM said that so far 2.17 crore individuals have already registered in participating in Yoga Day while the government plans to issue participation certificates to 25 lakh people.
Even though there is no forecast for rain, the CM instructed officials to be prepared with alternative arrangements as well. Earlier, he reviewed the preparations for the yoga day celebrations.
The CM interacted with officials who presented detailed plans, including maps and logistical arrangements for the mega event.
Later, he inspected the venue, stretching from Kalimata Temple to Park Hotel junction.
In addition to the main event in Vizag, the southern state aims to achieve a series of records with the target of two crore participants engaging in yoga activities across the state.
Naidu said his government is aiming to organise a record-breaking International Yoga Day on June 21 with the largest yoga session.