PM Modi Leads International Yoga Day 2026 Celebrations from Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the nation's observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata's iconic Red Road on June 21, 2026. The event features thousands of participants performing the Common Yoga Protocol, with the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' emphasizing physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy lifestyles. Later in the day, PM Modi is scheduled to commission three indigenously designed and built naval ships at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.
Addressing a programme marking Paschimbanga Divas in Tarakeswar on Saturday, PM Modi urged people across West Bengal to organize and actively participate in Yoga Day events. 'I want Yoga Day celebrations to be organised across Bengal, in every corner,' he said, adding that the land of yogis like Swami Vivekananda and Maharshi Aurobindo would send a message of guidance and inspiration to the world.
Global Participation: 210 Indian Missions Organize Events at 2,500 Locations
More than 210 Indian Missions and Posts are organizing International Yoga Day events at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, underscoring yoga's growing international appeal. The US state of Delaware has officially recognized June 21, 2026, as the International Day of Yoga through a proclamation issued by Governor Matthew Meyer. The Consulate General of India in New York thanked the governor, stating in a post on X that the proclamation reflects yoga's growing global acceptance as a universal practice that fosters health, harmony, and overall well-being.
Uttar Pradesh: Over 1.43 Crore Students Participate in Mass Yoga Sessions
Approximately 14.3 million students from more than 132,000 government schools and 746 Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas across Uttar Pradesh are participating in mass yoga sessions. Collective yoga programmes are organized statewide, involving students, teachers, Shiksha Mitras, instructors, and parents. More than 78,000 girls enrolled in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas are expected to take part. Director of Education (Basic) Anil Bhushan Chaturvedi has been appointed as the nodal officer to oversee coordination and monitoring.
Assam: ASRLM and AYUSH Collaborate for Rural Yoga Sessions
The Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH, is marking International Day of Yoga across rural Assam. The central state-level celebration in Guwahati will be attended by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora are scheduled to participate in a programme in Golaghat. Yoga sessions are being conducted across 23,498 villages at 37,383 venues, with participation expected from more than 3.2 million Self-Help Group (SHG) members. The Department of AYUSH introduced a Common Yoga Protocol featuring basic yoga asanas, which SHG members have been practising since June 1.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Participates in Shillong Event
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Shillong on Saturday to take part in International Yoga Day celebrations. He is scheduled to participate in the programme at the Indian Air Force's Advanced Landing Ground at sunrise on Sunday before holding talks with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Sangma told PTI that they will discuss airport expansion and highway expansion projects, some of which involve parting with defence land.
Sadhguru Highlights Yoga's Scientific and Transformative Aspects
Ahead of International Day of Yoga, spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev shared a message emphasizing yoga's scientific and transformative nature. In a video message, he said, 'It's a reminder that what we call yoga is not a philosophy, is not an ideology, not a belief system, not a religion, nor definitely it is not about twisting and turning your body, as a lot of people seem to understand. This is a reminder that, as there is a science and technology for external well-being, there is a whole science and technology for inner well-being.' He stressed that yoga applies to all human beings regardless of religion, race, caste, creed, or gender, and helps unlock an individual's potential across body, mind, emotion, intelligence, and energies.
Theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' Promotes Preventive Healthcare
The 12th International Day of Yoga is being observed with large-scale participation across India and overseas, focusing on 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing.' Events include mass yoga demonstrations, community outreach programmes, and initiatives encouraging lifelong yoga practice for healthier and more balanced lives. The day highlights yoga's contribution to preventive healthcare, active living, and overall well-being.
