Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sought yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s help in transforming the State into a spiritual hub. Mr. Naidu has also thanked the yoga guru for showcasing the richness of the State’s heritage and culture by organising yoga camps in places like Amaravati (the emerging capital of Andhra Pradesh) and Vijayawada.

Participating in one such yoga camp conducted at the ancient Undavalli Caves on the banks of the Krishna river here on the eve of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) on Saturday, Mr. Naidu said he was impressed by the way Mr. Ramdev practiced yoga for over three decades and made it a popular lifestyle across the nation.

He particularly appreciated the yoga guru for organising the camp at the Undavalli Caves, whose history dated back to the 6th and 7th centuries and comprised a huge idol of Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy, thereby highlighting its historical and spiritual significance.

The Chief Minister pointed out that Amaravati was the “Capital of the Gods,” and he was happy to have the opportunity to build the People's Capital there, for which farmers had voluntarily given 33,000 acres of land.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had brought international recognition to yoga, and it would be on an awesome display on the IDY on June 21 (Sunday), and noted that 190 countries would be organising the event.

“Yoga connects the body and the mind, and it should be done along with meditation for peace and relief from stress that has become the order of the day,” Mr. Naidu observed.

The Chief Minister said that the government was taking steps to increase greenery in the State to 50% and natural farming was being encouraged on a large scale. “Mr. Modi has been making untiring efforts to achieve the Viksit Bharat vision and it should be supported by the whole nation,” he added.

Mr. Ramdev, in his address, said that Mr. Naidu’s dream was to develop at least three major wellness projects in the State by integrating health, tourism and spirituality, and that he would help in realising the same.

In the education sector, the yoga guru said he would establish a Patanjali Gurukulam, offering education with character-building for students in the 3-5 age groups up to the university level in both Telugu and English media.

Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar, Special Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, and nature cure specialist Manthena Satyanarayana Raju were present.

Earlier, yoga practitioners from Patanjali Gurukulam gave an inspiring demonstration of various ‘asanas’.