Kolkata is preparing to celebrate the 12th International Day of Yoga on June 21 with a series of special yoga sessions, community programmes, and wellness initiatives across the city. These events complement the large-scale national celebration at Red Road, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the festivities alongside Bengal's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. An estimated 50,000 participants are expected at the main event.
National-Level Event in Bengal for First Time
This marks the first time Bengal is hosting the national-level International Day of Yoga since its inception in 2014. The programme at Red Road is being jointly organised by the state government and the Ministry of Ayush. The city's gyms, yoga studios, and fitness centres are also gearing up to mark the occasion with sessions aimed at promoting health, wellness, and mindful living.
Joywave Yoga Session in New Town
Joywave Yoga, a wellness studio in New Town, will conduct a 40-minute guided session on June 21, focusing on breathing techniques, stretching exercises, and mindfulness practices. The session is designed to help participants start the day positively while introducing newcomers to the benefits of yoga. Supriti Mukherjee, a member of Joywave Yoga, said, "Yoga offers a simple yet powerful way to cultivate physical vitality, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. Our International Yoga Day session is designed to help participants start their day with renewed energy, inner calm, and a deeper sense of connection with themselves."
World Yoga Society Centres Host Simultaneous Sessions
The World Yoga Society will hold special sessions across its four centres in Salt Lake, Golpark, Survey Park, and Dum Dum from 8 am to 10 am. Organisers expect participants from different age groups and fitness backgrounds. An instructor from the society noted, "International Yoga Day provides a valuable opportunity to bring communities together through the practice of yoga. Through simultaneous sessions at our centres across Kolkata, we hope to encourage more people to adopt yoga as a regular part of their lifestyle and experience its long-term physical and mental health benefits."
ICAI Hosts Walkathon and Yoga Session
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) will organise a celebration at the ICAI Centre of Excellence in Rajarhat. The programme begins at 6:30 am with a walkathon from the Biswa Bangla Convention Centre to the ICAI Centre of Excellence, followed by a yoga session at 7 am. An ICAI Eastern India Regional Council representative said, "The event aims to promote health, wellness, and holistic living among members, students, and the wider community. Yoga is not only a form of physical exercise but also a means of achieving mental balance and overall well-being."
These initiatives reflect the city's enthusiasm for yoga and its benefits, with numerous organisations contributing to a day of health and mindfulness.
