Vizagites join hands for Yoga: public participation and seamless organisation makes ‘International Yoga Day' a grand success
It wasn't a regular morning for Vizagites, who usually wake up around 4 a.m. or 5 a.m. for a peaceful morning walk along the scenic beach to enjoy the sunrise. This Saturday, the city stirred to life much earlier. Alarm clocks and mobile phones buzzed at 3 a.m. in most households as an alert to the 'International Yoga Day' programme on the Beach Road. Thanks to early wake-up calls from sachivalayam staff and school managements.
Residents were given just 30 to 45 minutes to freshen up and reach their pre-assigned bus pick-up points, which had been communicated in advance. By 4 a.m., the horns of RTC and private schools buses echoed along NH-16, from Lankelapalem to Anandapuram, and along the Beach Road.
By 4:30 a.m., it was an overwhelming sight: large groups of women, many of them homemakers with toddlers in tow, eagerly and energetically disembarking from buses near the Beach Road, ready to participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations. Interestingly, many participants were unaware of the event just a few weeks ago and have never performed Yoga in their life so far. All credit goes to the district administration, which had proactively arranged a series of local yoga training sessions to build awareness and enthusiasm among them.
The Beach Road venue was beautifully decked up. Green mats were laid out for seating, with yoga mats, water bottles, and t-shirts already placed for participants. Upon arrival, all they had to do was get off the bus, walk to their designated compartment, and settle in. A young team of volunteers helped streamline the process by guiding the participants, distributing missing items like t-shirts or mats, and scanning QR codes for attendance and accountability.
By 4.45 a.m. approximately one-and-a-half hour before the event's official start many of the designated compartments were already filled, reflecting the city's spirit and the seamless organisation behind the scenes.
As the programme time neared, a few minor issues surfaced in some compartments. In particular, along the Appughar to Sagar Nagar stretch and in a few other areas, the turnout exceeded the expected capacity. Volunteers, supported by police personnel, acted swiftly redirecting participants either by walk or in buses to nearby compartments to manage the crowd and ensure orderly seating. At Compartment No. 30, where there was no remaining space, a brief scuffle broke out between volunteers and participants due to confusion and lack of clarity. Some participants had no choice but to sit along the footpath. Despite the inconvenience, volunteers ensured breakfast was distributed to those waiting and politely requested them to remain patient in case seats became available later.
Excitement filled the air when the Deputy Chief Minister's speech began to stream on the large LED screens installed in every compartment. Cheers erupted from the crowd, adding to the charged atmosphere when Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his message.
All around, people were capturing the moment, taking selfies, recording videos, and showcasing the massive gathering on their mobile phones. Some even made video calls to friends and relatives to share a live glimpse of the spectacle. Many were especially thrilled to witness the sunrise from the beach, making the morning even more memorable.
'It feels great to participate in the yoga session along with our Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Deputy CM. I did not feel it was a burden to wake up early and come here. I truly wanted to be a part of this moment. Seeing lakhs of people performing yoga together is an unforgettable experience,' said G. Yamuna, who attended the event with her five-year-old daughter, traveling all the way from Thatichetlapalem.
Another participant, P. Usha from Arilova, shared: 'This feels like a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The arrangements have been good. Yoga is vital for our well-being.'
P Srinivasa Rao, a retired bank employee, said: 'It feels great to see youth and children taking part in it. I have been doing yoga for the past 20 years and it should be a daily practise for the people.'
Though there were instances of traffic congestion, the use of technology enabled the police to respond quickly and effectively, helping keep disruptions to a minimum and ensuring the event proceeded smoothly.
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