Naidu highlights India’s cultural values at Yogandhra in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said India’s cultural values have placed the country in a leading position globally and called for preserving them for future generations. He was speaking after attending a yoga session conducted by Baba Ramdev at Undavalli caves as part of the Yogandhra programme held on the eve of International Yoga Day.Naidu said Ramdev promoted yoga among the public and thanked him for expanding its reach. He said yoga connects the body and mind and called for encouraging its practice among the present generation.

Referring to his association with Ramdev, Naidu said they interacted for about three decades. He said technology should be used without addiction and added that practices such as yoga and spirituality would support this approach.The chief minister said the state was organising yoga sessions at different locations, including spiritual and tourist sites, and noted that Undavalli Caves, dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries, have cultural and religious significance.Naidu said the Sanjeevani programme being implemented by the state govt is focused on preventive healthcare and would include yoga and related practices. He said the govt was working towards increasing green cover in the state and developing Amaravati as a planned capital city.

He also referred to the Centre’s initiatives on yoga and said the state would work in line with national goals.Addressing the gathering, Baba Ramdev said yoga has gained recognition globally and added that Naidu was supporting national initiatives and called for alignment with the goal of Viksit Bharat.Ramdev conducted a yoga practice along with participants and demonstrated multiple asanas. Health minister Satya Kumar Yadav and senior officials attended the programme.