Latest news with #Yogandhra
News18
12-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
Why Andhra's 'Green Passport' Initiative Strikes A Deep Chord With Society
The programme invites students to plant and care for saplings in their mother's name, turning a personal tribute into a collective commitment to the planet After receiving widespread acclaim for the month-long Yogandhra campaign, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken another significant step—this time towards environmental consciousness—with the launch of the Green Passport initiative. Spearheaded by Education and IT Minister Nara Lokesh and strongly backed by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the programme is not just about planting trees—it's about planting values, rooted in respect, care, and sustainability. The initiative draws direct inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" campaign, taking forward the message by involving lakhs of schoolchildren in what is shaping up to be a large-scale public movement. In a time when climate awareness is not a choice but a necessity, the Green Passport initiative places children at the heart of India's green revolution. It invites students to plant and care for saplings in their mother's name, turning a personal tribute into a collective commitment to the planet. At the centre of the programme lies the symbolic Green Passport, a digital and physical document issued via the LEAP app to every student from classes 4 to 10. This passport records each child's sapling plantation, tracks growth, and logs their environmental efforts over time. Each passport carries a unique QR code for verification, enabling real-time monitoring of the sapling's progress. Students are encouraged to plant between one and three saplings at their homes, roadsides, farms, or public spaces. But planting is just the beginning; the focus is on long-term care and nurturing. Students regularly upload selfies as evidence, take part in peer reviews, and undergo annual assessments conducted by teachers. To keep motivation high, a Green Points System rewards students not just for participation, but for consistent care and visible growth of their plants. Top performers are honoured annually, promoting a sense of achievement and ownership. The initiative also includes a transfer protocol—if students relocate, their saplings are reassigned to ensure they continue to be nurtured. This ensures the project remains sustainable and every planted sapling receives continued attention. Saplings are provided by the Forest Department, distributed through Mandal Resource Points, and allocated to schools. From registration via APAAR ID to plantation tracking, every step is digitised and transparent. The programme features a real-time dashboard accessible to administrators, offering district-level insights and performance metrics. QR code-based verification ensures data integrity and accountability at every stage. With a target of planting over 44 lakh saplings across all districts, the Green Passport is not just a pilot but a state-wide green movement. It is also integrated into national efforts like Mission LiFE and Eco Club activities, aligning local action with global climate goals. Yet, what truly sets the initiative apart is the emotional depth it brings. Each sapling, planted in a mother's name, becomes a living symbol of love, gratitude, and care. It transforms environmentalism from an abstract concept into a personal, emotional, and cultural commitment. On World Environment Day (June 5, 2024), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign by planting a Peepal tree at Buddha Jayanti Park in Delhi, calling it a collective tribute to motherhood and environmental responsibility. Andhra Pradesh has now taken that message further—into every school, home, and village. By making children stewards of the planet, the Green Passport initiative redefines civic education in the 21st century. It teaches accountability, sustainability, and gratitude in a way that no textbook ever could. Through this initiative, the Andhra Pradesh government is not just nurturing trees—it is nurturing the next generation of conscious, responsible citizens. In every sense, this is a legacy project—one that roots children in the values of compassion, community, and care for Mother Earth. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- The Hindu
Vijayawada will be developed as a tourist hub with grand celebrations during Dasara Utsavams, says NTR District Collector
The State government is planning to develop Vijayawada, the gateway to Amaravati, as a tourist hub. Vijayawada will be decked up as 'City of Victory' by improving the tourism projects, said NTR District Collector G. Lakshmisha. Participating in the 'Yogandhra Success Meet' organised here on Friday, Mr. Lakshmisha said that Vijayawada Utsav will be celebrated on a grand scale during Dasara Utsavams. Vijayawada city will be decked up for the utsavams. All the junctions, Prakasam barrage, main roads and temples would be illuminated during Dasara Maharatri Utsavams, the Collector said. Highlighting Vijayawada's potential in tourism, Mr. Lakshmisha said several thematic tourism projects are in progress, including Temple Tourism, Ecotourism, and the Buddhist Circuit. He added that initiatives such as the Mulapadu Butterfly Park, Kondapalli Toys Experience Centre, the revival of the Gandhi Hill Project, and illumination of Krishna River ghats and heritage sites are also being taken up. He thanked the people of different sections and the officers of various departments, including Ayush, Medical and Health, Information and Public Relations and the Yogandhra nodal officer for making Yogandhra programme a grand success. Painting competition on July 13 The Collector said that a painting competition will be organised at Haritha Berm Park, at 6.30 a.m. on July 13 (Sunday) on various government programmes. Artists and students can sketch paintings on the themes 'Say no to single-use plastic', 'Swachhandhra – Swarnandhra', 'Save Water', 'Harithandhra' and 'P4' (Public-Private-People- Partnership), and win cash prizes from ₹1,000 to ₹10,000, he said. Interested persons can get more details by sending a WhatsApp message to 7075196840, the Collector said.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- The Hindu
Anantapur constable praised for receiving second prize in yoga competition
Superintendent of Police (SP) P. Jagadeesh on Thursday congratulated Anantapur District Police Training Centre constable Chalapati, who won second prize in the State-level yoga competitions held as part of the Yogandhra initiative. The competitions were held on June 17 and 18 in Vijayawada. Mr. Chalapathi, who is a yoga trainer, won second prize in above-35 year category. He was selected to perform yoga during the Yogandhra event held in Visakhapatnam on June 21 as part of International Yoga Day celebrations. Mr. Jagadeesh handed over the memento and certificate of appreciation to Mr. Chalapathi.
News18
25-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'Surpassed My Expectations': PM Modi Lauds 'Bhai' Lokesh For Yogandhra's Success At Cabinet Meet
The PM commended CM Chandrababu Naidu and minister Nara Lokesh for their vision and execution, calling it one of the most ambitious and impactful yoga programmes he had witnessed At Wednesday's union cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted an initiative, sources told CNN-News18, that deeply impressed him— Yogandhra. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh government, referring to the month-long yoga campaign as 'an extraordinary achievement". He specifically commended chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and minister Nara Lokesh for their vision and execution, describing it as one of the most ambitious and impactful yoga programmes he had witnessed. 'I have seen many such programmes over the years, but nothing on the scale or with the spirit of Yogandhra. The way it was conceptualised and implemented surpassed my expectations," the PM reportedly told his cabinet colleagues. He lauded the state's ability to unite people from all walks of life—across age, gender, and community—for 30 consecutive days of yoga activities. 'It was not just an event," Modi noted, 'it was a movement." Reflecting on his participation in Visakhapatnam, he added that the experience stood out among all the yoga events he had attended in the past 11 years. So impressed was the Prime Minister that he requested Andhra Pradesh to submit a detailed report outlining the planning, outreach, and implementation of the Yogandhra campaign. Once received, Modi said he would circulate the report to all other states, encouraging them to study it and possibly replicate its best practices. The Prime Minister's words served as both appreciation and endorsement, turning Yogandhra into a national case study for community engagement and wellness promotion. On June 21, marked as the International Day of Yoga, Visakhapatnam made history by hosting 3,02,087 participants, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest yoga gathering at a single venue. Some participants had arrived as early as 2 am, demonstrating the deep community engagement that powered the event. In line with the Naidu government's focus on innovation, technology played a pivotal role, with a QR code-based tracking system ensuring precise attendance data in a first-of-its-kind innovation, setting a new benchmark in public event management. Another record was set during the Yogandhra campaign—the largest synchronised Surya Namaskar, performed by 22,122 tribal students, which also earned a place in the Guinness World Records. First Published: June 25, 2025, 19:41 IST
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
JSP condemns YSRCP's factionist politics
Ongole: Jana Sena Party Prakasam district leaders have launched a scathing attack on the YSR Congress Party, accusing it of engaging in what they termed as 'politics over deaths', and promoting factional politics throughout the state. Jana Sena district president Shaik Reyaz and senior leader Kandi Ravi Sankar severely criticised the YSRCP at a press meet held here on Tuesday. Reyaz, who also serves as Chairman of AP Livestock Development Agency Corporation, accused YSRCP of shameless conduct despite the public mandate that reduced their representation significantly. He alleged that the party is now spreading factional politics across the state and urged YSRCP workers to understand their leader Jagan Mohan Reddy's true nature. Reyaz questioned why Jagan visits only the families of betting victims, those who insult women, and cannabis users. Reyaz warned that if Jagan continues this behaviour, YSRCP will not win a single seat in future elections. He expressed confidence that the state would develop rapidly under the leadership of Modi, Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Lokesh. Kandi Ravishankar praised the coalition government's performance over the past year, highlighting that it has maintained clean governance without any scams or corruption under the joint leadership of Modi, Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Lokesh. He noted that people from all sections of society are happy with the current administration. He credited Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan with securing maximum funds from the Centre and bringing significant changes to the panchayat system. He highlighted the success of the Yogandhra programme, where five lakh people participated, and claimed the entire world is now looking towards Andhra Pradesh. Jana Sena district vice-president Chittem Prasad, secretaries Kalyan Mutyala and Rayani Ramesh, urban vice-president Pilli Rajesh, chief secretary Palla Prameela, leader Vasavi Kasu, and others attended the meeting.
