Undavalli

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu joined yoga guru Baba Ramdev in a special yoga programme held in Undavalli village of Guntur district on Saturday, a day before the observance of International Yoga Day.

The event was organised against the backdrop of the historic Undavalli Caves, a nearly 1,600-year-old rock-cut monument overlooking lush agricultural fields.

During the session, Ramdev demonstrated a range of advanced yoga postures, including Chakrasana, Vrushchikasana, Mayurasana, Hanumanasana and Raj Kapothasana, along with power yoga techniques. Naidu observed the demonstrations and interacted with the yoga guru on the importance of integrating yoga into daily life.

According to an official statement, Ramdev praised the chief minister for his developmental vision and described him as a leader committed to progress. He also said Naidu was contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India.

Addressing the gathering, Naidu acknowledged Ramdev’s efforts in popularising yoga among the masses and drew a parallel between his own promotion of technology and Ramdev’s mission of spreading yoga.

“We should move forward with the principle of ‘technology without addiction’. Yoga and spirituality can help achieve that balance,” Naidu said.

The chief minister noted that yoga has gained worldwide recognition under Modi’s leadership and pointed out that International Yoga Day is now observed in around 190 countries.

Calling yoga a valuable gift from India to the world, Naidu said it helps reduce stress, improve concentration and promote overall well-being. He emphasised the need to introduce younger generations to yoga, describing it as an investment in their future.

Referring to Andhra Pradesh’s large-scale Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam last year, Naidu said this year’s programme in Amaravati would also be organised on a grand scale.

“Our goal is to take yoga into every household and make it a mass movement,” he said, adding that the state government would work closely with Ramdev to expand yoga awareness across Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu further announced plans to integrate yoga into the public healthcare system through the Sanjeevani health-record digitisation initiative, stressing the importance of preventive healthcare.

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He also reiterated his vision of developing Amaravati as a world-class city that would combine prosperity, health, happiness and spirituality, describing it as a “Hyderabad-plus” model of development.