Fact Check: "Five lakh participants joined the mass yoga session in Visakhapatnam."
What We Know
The claim that "five lakh participants joined the mass yoga session in Visakhapatnam" is incorrect. The event, which took place on the 11th International Day of Yoga, saw participation from over three lakh individuals. Specifically, reports indicate that the event was led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and included approximately 3.01 lakh participants performing yoga on RK Beach, breaking the previous record set in Surat, which had 1.47 lakh participants at one location (source-2, source-6).
The event was part of a larger campaign called 'Yogandhra,' which engaged 2.17 crore participants statewide, but the specific gathering at RK Beach did not reach the claimed five lakh figure.
Analysis
The assertion of five lakh participants appears to stem from a misunderstanding or exaggeration of the actual attendance figures. Multiple credible sources confirm that the number of participants was around three lakh, specifically 3.01 lakh, as reported by Great Andhra and Mid-Day.
Additionally, the event was meticulously organized, with 326 designated compartments for participants, and was overseen by various government officials, which adds to the reliability of the reported figures. The sources reporting on this event are reputable news outlets, which typically adhere to journalistic standards, making their information trustworthy.
The discrepancy in numbers could also be attributed to miscommunication or misinterpretation of the total engagement figures from the broader Yogandhra campaign, which included various yoga sessions across the state, rather than just the main event in Visakhapatnam.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that five lakh participants joined the mass yoga session in Visakhapatnam is false. The actual number of participants was approximately 3.01 lakh, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources. The confusion may arise from the total engagement figures of the Yogandhra campaign, but the specific event did not reach the claimed attendance.