New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Marking the 11th edition of International Yoga Day, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav on Thursday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary initiative has taken yoga from India's villages to the global stage, adding that 'yoga has reached the hearts of all the people participating' over the past decade.

Speaking to ANI, Minister Jadhav said, 'Because of the initiative started by our PM Modi, 21st June is celebrated worldwide as International Yoga Day. His initiative has completed one decade now, and in this decade, Yoga has reached the hearts of all the people participating.'

'People all over the world have started recognising Yoga. Therefore, due to its 11th year, our Prime Minister has directed that this 11th Yoga Day be celebrated significantly worldwide, especially in our country. From villages to the national capital, Delhi, and everywhere, we aim to organise yoga with the state government's efforts,' Jadhav added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to mark celebrations for the International Yoga Day, scheduled to be celebrated on June 21 in Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, in a post on X, the Prime Minister expressed happiness at witnessing people's enthusiasm before the Yoga Day celebrations and said that 'Yogandhra 2025' was a commendable effort to popularise the ancient practice.'Gladdening to see enthusiasm building up towards Yoga Day 2025. #Yogandhra2025 is a praiseworthy effort by the people of AP to make Yoga popular. I look forward to marking Yoga Day in AP on the 21st,' PM Modi said.

'I call upon all of you to mark Yoga Day and make Yoga a regular part of your lives,' he added.

The Prime Minister was responding to a post by Union Minister of State (MoS) Health Prataprao Jadhav, who posted on X, 'Over 2,000 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the majestic Puligundu Twin Hills near Chittoor for Yogandhra 2025, a powerful and peaceful kickoff to Andhra Pradesh's month-long lead-up to IDY2025. Surrounded by 1,000-ft rock formations, the energy was as grounded as uplifting.'

This year's International Yoga Day is set to be a grand celebration, with Visakhapatnam hosting a record-breaking yoga event. On June 21, Prime Minister Modi will participate in the celebrations, featuring over 2.5 lakh people performing yoga together at a single location -- an attempt to set a new world record.

The grand event will take place along the 27-kilometre-long coastal road of Visakhapatnam, serving as the venue for this massive yoga session. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is also expected to join PM Modi for the yoga performance. (ANI)