Hyderabad/Vijayawada, June 21 (IANS): International Yoga Day was celebrated with enthusiasm across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday with union Health Minister J.P. Nadda leading the celebrations in Hyderabad.
Thousands of people participated in the programmes held in the two Telugu-speaking states.
Nadda along with union Minister for Labour and Employment Bandaru Dattatreya and leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) performed yoga at Sanjeevaiah Park.
Dattatreya also participated in a programme organised by Art of Living at Gachibowli Stadium. A large number of software professionals from various IT companies took part.
E.S.L. Narasimhan, governor for both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, performed yoga at Raj Bhavan. His wife Vimla Narasimhan, officials and employees of Raj Bhavan also participated.
In Telangana, ruled by the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), the main official event was inaugurated by state Health Minister C. Lakshma Reddy at Kota Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.
Army personnel and NCC cadets participated in various programmes organised in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Hundreds of army personnel, including officers and jawans, performed yoga asanas under the guidance of experts from the Bharatiya Yog Sansthan at Secunderabad and Golconda military stations.
Brig. Ajai Singh Negi, Station Commander, said that yoga is not only about exercise but a way to discover the sense of oneness within yourself, the world and the nature.
Army officials and staff performed various 'asanas' at an event organised by the Bison Division of the 47 Infantry Brigade at Basantar Stadium, Mehdipatnam Garrison, in Hyderabad.
A large number of armymen took part in the Yoga Day celebration organised by Army Ordnance Centre (AOC) in Secunderabad.
Around 10,000 NCC cadets participated in a massive event organised by the NCC Directorate, Telagana and Andhra Pradesh, at Bison Training Ground in Secunderabad.
Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad also celebrated the day by hosting a session at Apollo Health City, Jubilee Hills.
Sangita Reddy, joint managing director, Apollo Hospitals Group, and Hari Prasad, CEO, Central Region, Apollo Hospitals Group, led the doctors, staff and patients at the session.
College and school students, officials, leaders of political parties also participated in the programmes held in Warangal, Karimnagar and other towns and cities of Telangana.
In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu led the celebrations by performing yoga at an event in Vijayawada.
Naidu's cabinet colleagues, officials and students also participated in the programme held under the guidance of experts.
The chief minister announced a special fund of Rs.25 crore and a separate wing in the state health department to promote yoga.
Ministers and officials took part in the programmes held in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, Guntur, Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur and other places of Andhra Pradesh.