Latest news with #YogAndhra
Hans India
02-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
Collector felicitates winners of Yoga Andhra competitions
Kurnool: Kurnool District Collector P Ranjith Basha on Tuesday felicitated 19 students who emerged victorious in the district-level YogAndhra competitions, at his camp office. Speaking on the occasion, the Collector emphasized the importance of incorporating yoga into daily life and encouraged students to make it a regular practice. He announced the establishment of a dedicated yoga center for students and directed the concerned officials to initiate the process. The Collector appreciated the impressive performances showcased by children during the month-long Yog Andhra events. He lauded the students for their outstanding participation in various competitions at the district level, which led to their selection and commendable performance at the state-level contests held in Vijayawada. He expressed hope that the same spirit would help them achieve even more accolades in the future. As part of the event, national-level Yoga Bhushan awardees and yoga instructors Avinash Shetty and Dr S Mumtaz Begum from Kurnool were also felicitated by the Collector under the guidance of Setkur CEO Dr Venu Gopal and ZP CEO Naser Reddy. The programme saw participation from several key dignitaries including State Yoga Association Secretary Avinash Shetty, Dr Prasad, Muni Swamy, and District Yoga Association member Ganesh.
The Print
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
With praise for ‘Bhai Lokesh', how Modi is cultivating ties with TDP scion in bid to strengthen NDA
But in Andhra Pradesh, the PM's acknowledgement of minister Lokesh's organisational competence comes amidst a growing chorus in the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the party-dominated state cabinet to further elevate Naidu's son, the heir apparent, in both roles. Lately, Modi is seen warming up to the next generation leadership of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies—for example, calling Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's son and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde ' Bhau '. Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's demonstrative affection toward Nara Lokesh—referring to him as 'Bhai' —while praising him profusely for the success of the 'Yog Andhra' initiative has set the political circles abuzz in Andhra Pradesh. Modi's adulation is being seen by Lokesh's supporters as validation of the demand. 'I want to make a special mention, appreciation of Lokesh efforts over the past one-and-a-half months, turning Yoga into a social celebration, including the people from all sections of society in the exercise,' Modi said at the International Day of Yoga (21 June) event in Visakhapatnam. 'Bhai Lokesh deserves plentiful congratulations. How bhai Lokesh made Yog Andhra a social movement should serve as a model. The spirit of such public participation is the basis for Viksit Bharat (developed India),' Modi said, noting that more than two crore people participated in the month-long exercise conducted across Andhra Pradesh. The unexpected public display of affection by the prime minister has Lokesh overwhelmed, says a close associate. Public this time, but the show of affection is not one-off. Lokesh met with PM Modi in New Delhi on 17 May and they held an affable conversation. Accompanied by his wife Brahmani and son Devansh, Lokesh also had a leisurely dinner with the prime minister at his official residence. The meeting, party sources said, came after the PM teasingly complained to Lokesh during the Amaravati capital project reinauguration event 2 May that the Andhra minister does not come to meet him. 'Unbelievable as it appears, Lokesh says he is privileged to be receiving such warmth from the PM,' says the associate. 'Lokesh, the TDP's heir apparent and a political leader, administrator with merit, is humbled by the PM's gestures.' Lokesh, 42, a first-term MLA from Mangalagiri, is a second-time minister in his father Chandrababu Naidu's cabinet, looking after the important human resources development; IT electronics & communication; and real time governance. During the TDP's previous term, Lokesh, elected an MLC in 2017, was the minister for IT, panchayati raj and rural development. A Stanford MBA, he is also the party's powerful general secretary. 'To keep Kalyan in check?' Earlier this year, several TDP leaders and ministers publicly demanded that Lokesh be made the second deputy chief minister, a proposition that would have diluted incumbent Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan's position. Kalyan, the Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief, is the coalition partner in the Naidu-led NDA government. Though settling to work under Naidu's leadership this tenure, Kalyan's ambitions to assume the CM chair in the future are well known. He had parted ways with the TDP and contested, rather unsuccessfully in 2019, in alliance with the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and the Left. A senior BJP leader suggested to ThePrint that Modi's geniality could be to keep Pawan Kalyan in check, 'in line with the agenda to merge the JSP with the BJP, eventually.' 'Modi insisted on Lokesh visiting him and also hosted dinner for his family. We know Modi-Pawan bonding is also like 'bade bhai-chhote bhai', but did the PM extend such gestures for the JSP chief lately?' queried the BJP leader. 'If I was in Kalyan's place, I'd be troubled by this Modi-Lokesh closeness lately,' says Chakravarthy Nalamotu, chairperson of civil society platform AP Tomorrow. But noted political observer D.A.R Subramanyam, the chairman of Guntur-based Navyandhra Intellectual Forum, differs. 'I don't think Modi will be, nor there is any need to be, mean to Kalyan. The JSP chief has been a loyal partner, and the BJP has big plans to put the actor-turned Hindutva supportive politician's charisma to good use in the south, beginning with the Tamil Nadu elections next year,' says Subrahmanyam. While a TDP functionary said Modi's praise for Lokesh has left Kalyan, also present on the Vizag event, 'red faced', a senior JSP leader rubbished all such talk as absurd. 'Kalyan is not an insecure leader. His equation with the PM remains strong and intact.' JSP leaders assert that Kalyan regards Modi as his elder brother and Guru and that the PM reciprocates the respect. Meanwhile, Modi's adoration for his son, TDP insiders told ThePrint, has made Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu 'very glad'. Following the growing chorus to make Lokesh the deputy CM, there was a barrage of petitions to Naidu last month, during the TDP annual conclave Mahanadu to elevate him as the party's working president. Naidu, 75, and vastly experienced in politics, more so in steering coalitions, deterred, and shelved the promotion for now. Political observers see Modi's interactions with Lokesh as part of the prime minister's pattern to strengthen the NDA by actively involving the scions, nurturing their abilities and ambitions, while boosting his popularity among the next generation leaders. Some say Modi might be looking at Lokesh as his point person in the TDP, the biggest NDA ally after the BJP. 'The TDP-BJP alliance was renewed last year, but given the nasty 2018-19 parting, rancorous exchanges and political accusations, I don't think the Modi-Naidu equation is very great. Probably, Modi sees Lokesh as different from Naidu, feeling comfortable interacting with him, while knowing his importance in the TDP in future. It is a smart move,' says Nalamotu. (Edited by Ajeet Tiwari) Also Read: As TDP gears up for convention on YSR turf, why all eyes are on Lokesh's elevation as heir apparent
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Two veterans practise yoga in Pacific Ocean
Visakhapatnam: Contributing to 'YogAndhra-2025', two veterans from Andhra Pradesh, Col Kolsani Srinivas (Retd) and Capt C D N V Prasad, IN (Retd) performed yoga aboard their 34-foot sailboat 'Tystie' in the Pacific Ocean. The 63-year-old veterans are alumni of the National Defence Academy and Sainik School Korukonda and on a transoceanic voyage from New Zealand to India via Fiji. They observed Yoga Day during the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, ahead of the events in India, exemplifying the spirit of this year's theme, 'yoga for one earth, one health'. Their unique seaborne observance highlighted yoga's global resonance. Braving swells, shifting winds, and confining to restricted spaces, their effort showcases resilience and commitment towards wellness, even at sea and across oceans. Joining over 2 crore participants in Andhra Pradesh, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister of AP N Chandrababu Naidu for the YogAndhra organised in Visakhapatnam, the gesture by the two sons of the soil adds an inspirational note. Their journey reaffirms that oceans are not barriers, but bridges, conveying the Indian Navy's message of maritime unity and friendship to the world. The two veterans had set out on a sail from Opua Bay, New Zealand bound for Savusavu, Fiji. Their boat is going to be changed to Indian registration and renamed as 'Visakha' to honour the port of Visakhapatnam upon its arrival in Visakhapatnam scheduled later during the year. The duo's adventure serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Thematic yoga session held in Kurnool
A thematic yoga session was performed by sanitation workers, students and NCC cadets at the outdoor stadium in Kurnool city as part of the YogAndhra campaign on Tuesday. Minister for Industries and Commerce T.G. Bharath, Kurnool MP Bastipati Nagaraju, District Collector P. Ranjith Basha and others participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Bharath said that the district topped with 11 lakh registrations for participation in the YogAndhra campaign. Highlighting the benefits of yoga, he asked students to practice yoga for a better physical and mental health. The Minister said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had initiated the month-long campaign to promote and create awareness about the benefits of yoga among all the sections of people to lead a healthy life. He expressed hope that the yoga session with five lakh participants in Visakhapatnam on June 21, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also participate, will find a place in Guinness Book of World Records. On the occasion, he said that they would take steps to develop the outdoor stadium and will provide facilities like walking track and others at the stadium.
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Huge response to ‘Police Yogandhra' in Vijayawada
VIJAYAWADA: The NTR district police organised a 'Police Yogandhra' event on Thursday, drawing more than 6,000 participants, including personnel from various wings of the commissionerate, at the Yoga Street (BRTS Road). Chief Secretary K Vijayanand, Special Chief Secretary (Medical and Health) MT Krishna Babu, NTR District Commissioner of Police (CP) SV Rajasekhar Babu, and NTR Collector G Lakshmisha attended as chief guests and urged the public to make yoga part of their daily routine. The event was conducted in association with the NTR Ayush Department and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC). Addressing participants, Vijayanand said the State government has launched the month-long Yogandhra-2025 campaign, from May 21 to June 21, to make yoga a part of household activity. A mega event involving five lakh people is planned from RK Beach to Bhogapuram in Visakhapatnam district, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to attend as the chief guest on the International Yoga Day. 'Yoga is a great gift India has offered to the world. We aim to build a healthy and happy society. YogAndhra programs will be held in every village and town until June 21 to mark International Yoga Day. Our goal is to teach yoga to at least two crore people by then,' said Vijayanand. He added that 1.25 lakh yoga trainers have registered across the State, and the government is encouraging people to learn basic yoga asanas. CP Rajasekhar Babu said the event was intended to raise awareness of yoga's benefits for both physical and mental health and to encourage regular practice. He expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to the success of 'Police Yogandhra' event.
