PM Modi Leads Mass Yoga Session at Kolkata’s Red Road
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the International Yoga Day celebrations on Sunday from Kolkata’s historic Red Road, joining thousands of participants in a mass yoga session. He described June 21 as the day of the “world’s largest collective celebration,” highlighting the global reach of the event.
Nationwide Participation by Union Ministers and Chief Ministers
Several Union ministers, chief ministers, and senior leaders took part in Yoga Day events across the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah performed yoga in Ahmedabad, while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh joined celebrations in Shillong alongside Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in a yoga session with thousands in Delhi.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the celebrations in Guwahati. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joined a yoga event in Mumbai, and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in a programme at Jhansi Fort Ground.
Yogi Adityanath Credits PM Modi for Global Recognition of Yoga
Speaking at the Jhansi event, Yogi Adityanath expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for bringing yoga to the global stage. “We are all grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has given global recognition to India’s traditions and heritage, and has presented a vision for all of us, enabling 140 crore Indians to move forward with pride in the world, and to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat,” Yogi said.
PM Modi Highlights Theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’
Addressing the main programme in Kolkata, PM Modi emphasised this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” noting that yoga helps people remain physically active, mentally strong, and free from lifestyle diseases as they grow older. “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,” the Prime Minister said.
He added that yoga improves flexibility, maintains energy levels, and promotes a calm, stress-free life.
Yoga’s Growing Global Popularity
PM Modi also spoke about yoga’s increasing popularity worldwide and its ability to unite people. “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. The Prime Minister noted that International Yoga Day has transformed June 21 into a global celebration, with people across countries participating in yoga activities.
