
Yogandhra draws overwhelming public response in NTR district
VIJAYAWADA: NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha announced that the Yogandhra campaign, promoting yoga's benefits, has drawn an overwhelming public response.
Around 5,000 trainers are currently being prepared to teach yoga asanas to 10 lakh people in the district as part of a state-wide goal to reach two crore individuals by June 21.
On Monday, the district administration, in coordination with Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) and the AYUSH Department, organised a large rally from Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium to Benz Circle. Over 3,000 people participated in the event, which marked the 20th day of the campaign.
Lakshmisha, along with Joint Collector S Ilakkia and VMC Commissioner Dhyana Chandra, led the rally. Addressing the crowd, the Collector highlighted yoga's Indian roots and global relevance, stressing the campaign's goal of making yoga accessible to all age groups.
The event also saw the launch of an anti-drug poster bearing the message 'Drugs Vaddhu Bro – Say No to Drugs Bro,' along with the toll-free helpline 1972. He reiterated the administration's commitment to eradicating drug abuse through sustained community engagement.Vijayawada RDO Kavuri Chaitanya and others were present.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
From pimples to peptides: How Gen Z turned the dermatologist into a beauty guru
Dermatology clinics are the new beauty salons. Consumers in urban India are no longer walking into a dermat's office with just eczema, psoriasis or some other chronic skin condition. They are increasingly consulting the dermatologist for everyday skin requirements, from dealing with pimples and dandruff to enhancing the skin texture and glow. The trend is mostly driven by teenagers and young adults, but older people, both women and men, are too seeking expert medical help for skin conditions that previously were managed with home remedies. Last year, Suresh (name changed to protect privacy) rushed to a South Delhi dermatologist, worried about pimples—'Can adults get pimples?' was one of his questions to the doctor. The 41-year-old was anxious that it would affect his looks at social engagements. The treatment cost him ₹20,000. 'The stigma around seeking help for 'non-serious' skin concerns has also faded,' says Bengaluru-based Priyanka Reddy, chief dermatologist and founder of DNA Skin Clinic, who has 556,000 followers on Instagram. People today are far more informed about skin health than they were ever before, thanks to social media, beauty influencers and easy access to medical info online. Live Events Both Indian and international companies have been focusing on science-backed skincare brands for a few years now. From Minimalist, now owned by Unilever, to Cetaphil, CeraVe and Honasa Consumer-owned The Derma Co, many brands are vying for the same section of the skincare market: the young and informed consumer. 'We've seen a noticeable uptick in both age groups (Gen Z and Gen Alpha),' says Chytra Anand, dermatologist and founder of Kosmoderma, a Bengaluru-based chain of dermatology clinics. Evidence-based Self-care 'In fact, teens and young adults now make up nearly 20% of new consultations at our clinics. For the 12–18 age group, the top concern is acne—mostly hormonal and sometimes compounded by lifestyle issues like diet, screen time, and stress. There's a growing interest in skin texture and glow, thanks again to beauty influencers and filter-free selfies,' adds Anand. Young consumers are taking 'picture-perfect' quite literally. According to Alok Malik, president and business head - India Formulations at Glenmark Pharmaceuticals , the rise in dermatologist consultations is not just a medical trend; it reflects a broader shift towards evidence-based self-care. 'We are seeing increased usage, which is intentional and informed adoption, with consumers actively choosing science-backed skincare over cosmetic hype,' he says. Known for brands like Maxrich YU, Episoft, Bontress and La Shield Kids, Glenmark has been pushing the prescription vs OTC line of skincare for years now. It is using a combination of dermatological recommendations and modern retail inclusive of ecommerce to reach the target audience. Dermatologists charge ₹1,000–4,000 or more for a visit in India's major cities. This is just the consultation fee. Chances are the doctor will prescribe serums with active ingredients, moisturisers and face wash—a three-four step routine based on products which would cost another ₹10,000 or more. 'Earlier, people would only see a dermatologist for chronic conditions like acne, eczema, or pigmentation that had persisted for years. Now, even a new pimple, suntan, or mild sensitivity prompts a visit, and rightly so,' adds Reddy. 'Skin is our largest organ, and people are beginning to treat it with the same seriousness they give to diet or fitness.' While this is still a fairly urban phenomenon, market research company Statista estimates India's skin treatments market to reach about $895 million (nearly ₹7,750 crore) this year. More than 64% of the customers of Foxtale, a Mumbai-based skincare startup, are Gen Z and the older edge of Gen Alpha — 'those just stepping into their teenage years', says Romita Mazumdar, its CEO and founder. 'On our website, we've seen a 2x increase in ingredient-specific search terms in the last year alone; terms like 'niacinamide', 'glycolic acid' and 'peptides' are constantly searched,' she says. 'Even parents are encouraging early visits, which is great. I've had 15-year-olds ask if they should combine azelaic acid with niacinamide, and college students worried about barrier repair after using too many actives,' says Anand.


Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
India has paved way for global welfare with yoga, says CM
: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath participated in a mass yoga session at Mahant Digvijay Nath Smriti Bhavan of the Gorakhnath temple complex in Gorakhpur on Saturday, marking the 11th International Yoga Day which has the theme 'Yoga for one earth, one health'. Addressing the gathering in Gorakhpur, Adityanath praised yoga as a unique gift of Indian wisdom, stating, 'By making yoga a medium of public welfare, India paved the way for world welfare (HT Photo) Emphasising yoga's strong connection to Indian heritage, he said, 'Yoga is a mantra from India's Rishi tradition that provides us with not only a healthy body but also a healthy mind.' Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly speaker Satish Mahana attended a yoga session at Green Park in Kanpur. For his part, the chief minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for securing global recognition for yoga. 'At a time when other countries were attempting to patent yoga postures, PM Modi took the historic step of securing global recognition for yoga through the United Nations. As a result of his efforts, International Yoga Day has been celebrated worldwide every year since June 21, 2015, with participation from 190 countries today', he said. Adityanath also listened to PM Modi's address, delivered from Visakhapatnam, during the International Yoga Day celebrations. Addressing the gathering in Gorakhpur, Adityanath praised yoga as a unique gift of Indian wisdom, stating, 'By making yoga a medium of public welfare, India paved the way for world welfare. This is why today, on the 11th International Yoga Day, around 190 countries worldwide are proudly associating with the heritage of Indian yoga.' Highlighting yoga's benefits, he added, 'It not only promotes physical health but also enhances mental well-being.' Referring to the ancient saying 'Shariramadyam khalu dharma sadhanam' (the body is the primary instrument of righteousness), he emphasized that the four goals of human life—Dharma (righteousness), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desires), and Moksha (liberation)—can be achieved only through a healthy body, which is essential for spiritual and societal welfare. He further stated, 'India has transformed personal health into a path of national and global welfare through yoga. Its vast knowledge has been preserved in the Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas, Smritis, and other scriptures.' Adityanath said he felt fortunate to celebrate Yoga Day on the sacred land of Mahayogi Guru Gorakhnath. 'The energy and enthusiasm created through yoga will lead to public, social, and national welfare through both physical and mental well-being,' he said. 'The whole world feels proud to be associated with India's heritage of yoga. Hearty congratulations to all yoga practitioners on the occasion of 11th International Yoga Day!' he wrote on X. Jal Shakti minister Swatantra Dev Singh attended the yoga session with the chief minister in Gorakhpur. The chief minister was also joined by Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, mayor Dr. Manglesh Srivastava, and MLAs Fateh Bahadur Singh, Mahendra Pal Singh, Vipin Singh, and Pradeep Shukla. Several officials and citizens also actively participated in the yoga practice. In addition to the session at the memorial hall, group yoga activities were organized in various parts of the temple premises. Meanwhile, deputy chief minister Brajesh Pathak attended a session at the Residency in Lucknow and deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya participated in one in Ghaziabad. 'Let's make yoga a daily practice/routine in our lives to develop a healthy lifestyle,' Pathak said. Ayush minister Dayashankar Mishra participated in a yoga session organised at Raj Bhavan, along with the governor Anandiben Patel. The department of social welfare, organised special yoga sessions across all government-run old age homes and Jayaprakash Narayan Sarvodaya Vidyalayas in Uttar Pradesh's 75 districts. Animal husbandry minister Dharampal Singh attended a yoga session in Meerut and tourism minister Jaiveer Singh took part in a session in Agra. Narendra Kashyap, the backward welfare minister, was in Hapur district, to attend the International Yoga Day Event. Vocational education and skill development minister Kapil Dev Agrawal participated in the programme in Bijnor district.


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Prayagraj celebrates Int'l Yoga Day with wide, all-round participation
Prayaraj: Govt organisations, district administration, educational institutions and social organisations in Prayagraj joined the nation in celebrating 11th on Saturday. In the main function, the Sangam turned into a spiritual and wellness hub as more than 10,000 people gathered to mark the day. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The grand celebration at Sangam Nose was the main event in the city and saw enthusiastic participation of yoga practitioners, students, govt officials, and spiritual seekers. Presiding over the ceremony as chief guest, minister for Industrial Development, Nand Gopal Gupta 'Nandi', led the participants through yoga postures and breathing exercises. The event was jointly organised by the district administration and the AYUSH department. Speaking on the occasion, 'Nandi' emphasised that yoga is India's gift to the world and an integral part of the nation's ancient heritage. "Yoga is a scientific path to a healthy life as it balances the mind, body and soul, and has become a symbol of Indian culture worldwide under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi," he said. At North Central Railway (NCR) headquarters in Subedarganj, International Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. Themed "Yoga for One Earth, One Health", the programme was inaugurated with the live telecast of PM Modi's address from Visakhapatnam. The yoga session at NCR was led by General Manager Upendra Chandra Joshi, who practised yoga along with officers and employees. The event was organised under the guidance of trained yoga instructor. In his address, the GM emphasised the significance of integrating yoga into daily routines. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At Prayagraj Division of NCR, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Rajneesh Aggarwal, inaugurated the event. In his address, Aggarwal described yoga as a spiritual discipline that harmonises the body and mind, boosting energy, focus, and inner strength. He noted that yoga not only improves physical fitness but also sharpens mental resilience and emotional stability. He encouraged railway personnel to embrace yoga to improve their health and work efficiency. At Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), Prayagraj the programme began with a morning yoga session in which students, teachers and staff participated. Under the guidance of yoga instructors, everyone practised various yogasanas, pranayama and meditation. Many teachers, officers, and students of the institute were present at this event. At Prof Rajendra Singh (Raju Bhaiya) University, the day was celebrated in a grand manner under the chairmanship of Vice Chancellor Akhilesh Kumar Singh. On the occasion of Yoga Day, a programme was celebrated on the university campus in, which a large number of students, teachers' families, and all officers and employees with their families and residents of the area around the university also participated. The university also conducted group yoga practice with NCC cadets and soldiers at Arail Ghat. International Yoga Day was also celebrated at Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj. The programme was presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Satyakam. Under a special initiative guided by the Chancellor of the University, Anandiben Patel, all the members of the university participated in the 'Surya Namaskar' yoga practice with the aim of setting a world record. Likewise, at Army Public School, Old Cantt, a large-scale event involving students, NCC cadets, and staff was held. The programme featured guided yoga postures, meditation sessions, and a pledge for healthier living through yoga. Meanwhile, more than 14,500 students across 169 madrasas also took part in yoga sessions. The Minority Welfare Officer confirmed the participation, stating that yoga was well received by the madrasa community. Children in orphanages, supported by Blue Cross Organisation, also joined the celebrations, practising yoga and learning its health benefits from medical experts. Yoga Day was also celebrated at headquarters Central Air Command (CAC) and all units. Senior officers along with personnel and families of CAC participated in the event. All participants viewed the address of the PM on the occasion followed by a session of Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) which not only educated all the participants but also inspired them to adopt yoga as an essential part of their daily lives. Besides this, a series of asanas, breathing techniques and meditation practices were also undertaken successfully. At the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Allahabad, a special Yoga workshop was organised. The event commenced with the participation of students, faculty, staff, and yoga enthusiasts from the campus community. The workshop was conducted under the guidance of certified yoga instructor . Undeterred by the early morning showers, Nazareth hospital joyfully celebrated the Day by organising Yoga Sangam, radiating a spirit of wellness and unity. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation of nearly 200 staff members and students, all gathered to embrace this global movement for health, harmony, and mindfulness.