As India prepares to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga on June 21, the government is rolling out a wide range of events across the country under this year’s theme — “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
The main event, Yoga Sangam, will feature a synchronised mass yoga demonstration based on the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) at over one lakh locations across India. The nationwide event is scheduled for June 21, from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebration from Visakhapatnam, where over 2.5 lakh participants are expected to perform yoga together — an attempt to set a new world record. This collective celebration underscores India’s continued commitment to yoga as a timeless tool for well-being and sustainability.
Yoga, an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition, has become one of the most trusted practices to enhance both physical and mental health. Derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” meaning “to join,” “to yoke,” or “to unite,” yoga symbolises the unity of mind and body, thought and action, discipline and fulfilment, and harmony between humans and nature.
Recognising yoga’s universal appeal, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga through Resolution 69/131 on December 11, 2014. The draft resolution was introduced by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states.
Prime Minister Modi first proposed the idea in his address at the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly on September 27, 2014. The date, June 21, marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolising balance between nature and wellness — a concept rooted in many cultures worldwide.
The first International Yoga Day was celebrated in 2015, and since then, the event has grown into a global wellness movement. According to the Ministry of AYUSH, participation has risen exponentially — from 9.59 crore people in 2018 to an estimated 24.53 crore in 2024, demonstrating its massive global appeal.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” resonates deeply with India’s G20 presidency vision — One Earth, One Family, One Future. It highlights the interconnectedness of individual health, planetary sustainability, and collective well-being.
Elaborating on the symbolism of the International Yoga Day logo, the Ministry of AYUSH explained that the folded hands represent the union of individual and universal consciousness, regarded as the core principle of yoga.
Each element of the logo carries deeper meaning: the brown leaves signify the Earth element, green represents Nature, blue denotes Water, brightness symbolizes Fire, and the Sun stands for the ultimate source of energy and inspiration.
Together, the logo embodies the values of harmony, peace, and holistic well-being for all of humanity.
As part of the celebrations, the PM Yoga Awards will be conferred to individuals and organisations that have demonstrated outstanding contributions in promoting and practising yoga. The awards aim to honour excellence and encourage the widespread adoption of yoga as a daily practice.
(With inputs from ANI)