PM Modi emphasises Yoga’s role in providing pathway from mental to physical wellness
The 12th International Day of Yoga is being celebrated across India and around the world today with the theme Yoga for Healthy Ageing. The theme highlights the importance of adopting Yoga as a lifelong practice for healthy, active and dignified ageing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in observing the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata’s Red Road, where thousands of people joined him in performing the morning exercises. Participating in the Common Yoga Protocol session, Mr Modi performed yoga alongside thousands of practitioners at the iconic venue.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Modi said, June 21 marks the longest day in some parts of the Earth; it has now become the largest community celebration day because of yoga. Prime Minister said, Yoga is not just a physical exercise, not restricted to any age group; it is an expression of the human spirit. He said our target should be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20, and to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30.
Mr Modi said, Yoga helps us live in a balanced manner and find the path to physical fitness through mental health. Prime Minister said, we should not restrict yoga to only particular occasions, it must be made part of our lives. Mr Modi said the ‘Yoga 365’ slogan has been made popular this year by the government with 100-day online yoga classes.
Since the inception of the International Day of Yoga in 2015, Mr Modi has led celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York, Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.
Several Union Ministers, State Ministers and senior officials are also taking part in Yoga Day events being organised across the country. The national celebration reaffirms Yoga’s growing role as a global movement promoting health, harmony and collective well-being.
International Day of Yoga is witnessing enthusiastic participation across the country and abroad. The Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, is organising special Yoga programmes at 100 iconic locations, linking India’s rich cultural heritage with its enduring Yoga traditions. Major celebrations are being held at twelve prominent sites, including Red Fort in New Delhi, Haridwar, Konark, Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Mumbai, Nalanda, Ahmedabad, Sarnath, Leh, Hyderabad and Silchar.
The Ministry of Ayush said that over six lakh organisations have registered on the Yoga Sangam Portal, reflecting unprecedented public participation in this year’s celebrations. Internationally, more than 210 Indian Missions are organising Yoga events at nearly 2,500 locations across the world through the coordinated efforts of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
In Delhi, Yoga celebrations are being held at several prominent public locations, including the Lawn of Shantipath, Kartavya Path, New Moti Bagh, Central Park in Connaught Place, Talkatora Garden and Yamuna Sports Complex.
