Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 June 2025
The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 was commemorated with great fervour by the AYUSH Wing of the Directorate of Health Services, A&N Administration, with a central event held at the auditorium of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Marina Park. The event witnessed active participation from dignitaries, government officials, security personnel, and citizens from diverse walks of life.
As part of the nationwide ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative launched by the Ministry of AYUSH, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, addressed the nation live from Visakhapatnam. His address was streamed at over 10 lakh venues across the country, including multiple locations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, promoting synchronized yoga sessions as part of a collective national movement.
In his address, the Prime Minister underlined yoga as India’s timeless gift to humanity, emphasizing its capacity to foster individual wellness and global harmony. Under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, he introduced the concept of “Yoga for Humanity 2.0”, highlighting yoga’s role in combating lifestyle-related diseases such as heart conditions, obesity, and stress, and its benefits in enhancing immunity, energy, flexibility, and mental well-being.
He also acknowledged the rising global embrace of yoga and Ayurveda, citing initiatives like Spain’s “Somos India,” which engaged nearly 9,000 participants. He encouraged making yoga a part of everyday life and lauded innovative formats such as yoga chains, sessions at iconic sites, corporate yoga hours, and targeted sessions for senior citizens, pregnant women, diabetics, and those in de-addiction programs.
At the main function in the Islands, the Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), and Vice Chairman of the Islands Development Agency, led the celebrations. He was joined by Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament; Chief Secretary Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS; PCCF Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sinha, IFS; DGP Mr. H.S. Dhaliwal, IPS; Mr. Prakash Adhikari, Adhyaksh, Zilla Parishad (South Andaman); Mr. S Shahul Hameed, Chairperson, SVPMC; along with other senior officers, department heads, IRBn personnel, media representatives, and members of the public.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and formal welcome of the dignitaries. A 45-minute Common Yoga Protocol session was conducted by trained instructors from the AYUSH Unit, featuring asanas and pranayama in a peaceful and invigorating environment. The event was overseen by Ms. Richa, Secretary (Health) and Mission Director, National AYUSH Mission.
In addition to the main venue, Yoga Sangam sessions were organised at more than 125 locations across all three districts of the Union Territory—including community halls, beaches, jetties, parks, schools, health centres, and anganwadi centres. More than 7,500 participants took part in the celebrations, underscoring the Administration’s steadfast commitment to promoting holistic health and well-being through yoga. (Story Based on PR)
