Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the national celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata’s iconic Red Road, urging people to make yoga an integral part of their daily lives and describing it as a powerful tool for building a healthier, stronger and more self-confident nation.
The nationwide observance, held under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, witnessed participation from thousands of people in Kolkata and millions more across India and around the world. Around 35,000 participants joined the Prime Minister in performing the Common Yoga Protocol at Red Road, while nearly 10 lakh people were expected to take part in synchronised yoga sessions across various locations in Kolkata.
In a post on X, PM Modi said, “From physical wellness to inner peace, yoga enriches every aspect of life. Delighted to join this year’s celebrations in Kolkata.”
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stressed that yoga should not remain confined to a single day of observance.
“On the occasion of International Yoga Day, millions of people connect with yoga. But today, this day gives us an opportunity to reaffirm our shared resolve. Let us take a pledge that we will not limit yoga to just one day, we will not limit yoga to just one program; we will make yoga a part of our life,” he said.
“We will make it a part of our families and pass it on to future generations. In this direction, the Yoga 365 initiative is also being taken forward this year. When society is healthy, the nation becomes stronger, more prosperous, and more self-confident. With this spirit, I pray: ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah’ (may all be happy and may all be free from illness),” he added.
Yoga for Healthy Ageing
Highlighting this year’s theme, PM Modi said yoga offers a pathway to lifelong health, vitality and resilience, helping people maintain their physical and mental well-being as they age.
“When we speak of Yoga for healthy ageing, it means that we can work to ensure that age doesn’t reduce human potential. Yoga can help human life aspire for constant growth. Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our target must be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our target must be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us,” he said.
“It helps us tune our bodies to be flexible. It keeps our energy level high. It also helps us maintain a calm, stress-free life and helps to keep lifestyle diseases away. Moreover, with regular practice, Yoga teaches us to remain lifelong learners of our bodies and minds. The more we know about ourselves, the better we can manage ourselves. Therefore, Yoga for healthy ageing, this theme must be seen as one for people of all ages, not just for the elderly,” he added.
The Prime Minister also drew from the Bhagavad Gita to explain the importance of balance in life.
“In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says about yoga: ‘Yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cheshtasya karmasu, yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha.’ It means that with a balanced diet and lifestyle, balanced actions and duties, and balanced sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes the destroyer of suffering…”
Yoga as a Global Movement
Emphasising yoga’s universal appeal, PM Modi said the ancient Indian practice has evolved into a global movement that transcends geographical boundaries and cultural differences.
“In India, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from the Northeast and Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west, the entire country seems to be filled with the energy of yoga,” he said.
“June 21 is the longest day of the year in some parts of the Earth and, due to International Yoga Day, this day of 21 June has become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration,” he added.
Greeting people across the world, the Prime Minister said, “The entire nation, world, seems connected. This is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone, brings everyone together. On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt greetings to the entire world, to the entire human community on International Yoga Day.”
Special Significance of Kolkata Celebration
The Prime Minister described the celebration in Kolkata as particularly meaningful because of the city’s deep spiritual and cultural heritage.
“It is very special to be in Bengal today on the occasion of Yoga Day. The sacred land of Bengal, where saints like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa descended, Swami Vivekananda… where great yogis like Lahiri Mahasaya took the yoga tradition to new heights, today the experience of collective yoga on the same land is giving a unique spiritual experience,” he said.
He also praised the people of West Bengal for undertaking cleanliness drives as part of the Yoga Day celebrations.
“Today, on Yoga Day, I would especially like to commend the people of Bengal for the cleanliness drive that has been carried out. This is a wonderful initiative,” he added.
Global Celebration of Wellness
Observed annually on June 21, the International Day of Yoga has grown into one of the world’s largest public wellness movements since it was first proposed by Prime Minister Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The resolution received unprecedented support from 175 member states, leading to the first observance in 2015.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” reflects growing global concerns around lifestyle diseases, ageing populations and the need to improve quality of life through preventive healthcare and holistic well-being.
Celebrations are held across India and in countries around the world, reaffirming yoga’s role as a powerful instrument for physical fitness, mental well-being, emotional balance and social harmony. The Kolkata event served as the centrepiece of the national observance, showcasing India’s enduring commitment to promoting yoga as a way of life and a global force for health and wellness.
(With agency inputs)
