In a remarkable celebration of World Health Day, around 20,000 tribal students came together at Araku Valley Degree College in Alluri Sitharama Raju district to perform 108 Surya Namaskars (sun salutations), marking a historic achievement under the ‘Yoga – Maha Surya Vandanam’ initiative.
This large-scale yoga event entered the record books as students—over 13,000 of whom were girls—participated in synchronised Surya Namaskars for nearly two hours, setting a new Guinness World Record. The effort was officially recognised by Alice Renaud, Manager of the London World Records Union, who presented the certification to District Collector Dinesh Kumar.
“I’m a World Record Union Manager, and I was here tonight to witness the performance as 20,000 students performed sun salutations. This is a new world record that has been established tonight. I want to congratulate them,” said Alice Renaud while speaking to ANI.
Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani inaugurated the event, not only flagging it off but also participating in the Surya Namaskars herself, motivating the young crowd with her active involvement.
The students, representing five mandals from the district, had been rigorously training for the past five months. Their day began at 4 a.m., as they practiced yoga regularly in preparation for this record-setting feat. Health officials were present throughout the session to ensure the participants’ safety and wellness, which added to the event’s credibility and scale.
District Collector Dinesh Kumar highlighted the tangible benefits of the daily yoga sessions, pointing to improved health and academic performance among students. He noted that many students who previously needed frequent medical attention showed a noticeable reduction in health issues after adopting a yoga-based lifestyle.
The ceremonial commencement of the session was marked by the blowing of a conch by Physical Education Teacher Patanjali Srinivas, who played a pivotal role in organizing the event.
Collector Dinesh Kumar extended his appreciation to Srinivas, fellow PETs, tribal welfare officers, and teachers for their dedication and coordination in making the event a resounding success.
The event also saw participation from several dignitaries, including Joint Collector Dr Abhishek Gowda, SP Amit Bardar, Sub-Collector Sauryaman Patel, Additional SP Dheeraj, and RTC Chairman Donnu Dora. Their presence further amplified the significance of this wellness-focused celebration.
The electrifying energy of the crowd and the collective discipline on display not only made history but also reinforced the vital role of yoga in promoting holistic health and well-being.
