New Delhi: On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to citizens in India and across the globe, leading the Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Participating in a mass yoga session along the coast, the Prime Minister reiterated yoga’s relevance in today’s world and its role in fostering a healthier, more harmonious planet.
Yoga for All: A Global Mission
Highlighting how yoga has become part of millions of lives worldwide, PM Modi stated, “Yoga is for everyone—beyond borders, backgrounds, age, or ability.” He emphasized that yoga is both a personal journey and a collective practice, transitioning individuals from self-focused thinking to shared responsibility—a move “from Me to We.”
Reflecting India’s timeless philosophy of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all be happy), he said the true spirit of yoga lies in service, compassion, and collective well-being.
“Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
This year’s theme underscores the interconnectedness of human and planetary health. The Prime Minister noted that our health is tied to nature—the soil, air, water, and the flora and fauna that surround us. Yoga, he said, helps us realize this bond and encourages us to live in harmony with our environment.
He shared inspiring examples, from visually impaired individuals reading yogic texts in Braille to astronauts practicing yoga in space—testaments to yoga’s universal reach.
More than 2 crore people have participated in the Yogandhra Abhiyan, showcasing public enthusiasm and highlighting yoga as a cornerstone of Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
Yoga as a Global Guiding Force
The Prime Minister proposed a global movement—“Yoga for Humanity 2.0”, suggesting that inner peace must become a global policy priority. “Yoga,” he said, “should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, from stress to solutions.” He urged societies and governments to incorporate yoga into daily life and public policy for a more peaceful and balanced future.
He also revisited his campaign to reduce daily oil consumption, linking dietary choices and yoga to overall health, and called on people to embrace yoga as a jan andolan—a people’s movement.
Health Minister Leads Yoga Demonstration at Kartavya Path
Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda led a mass yoga session at Kartavya Path, New Delhi, joined by hundreds of participants. He praised PM Modi’s vision for making June 21 a globally recognized day for yoga—a proposal supported by over 170 countries at the UN in 2014.
“Since 2015,” Shri Nadda said, “yoga has gained worldwide recognition as a holistic path to wellness. It improves not just physical fitness but also mental focus and emotional resilience.”
He shared that the 11th IDY saw crores of people performing yoga at lakhs of venues across India, turning yoga into a shared celebration of well-being.
He also highlighted the inclusion of yoga in India’s National Health Policy 2017 and the establishment of a Centre for Integrative Medicine and Research at AIIMS Delhi, blending yoga with modern medical practices.
Voices from the Ministry of Health
Minister of State for Health, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, called yoga a “celebration of universal consciousness” and credited India’s leadership for making it a global movement rooted in science, spirituality, and social harmony.
Smt. Anupriya Singh Patel, also Minister of State for Health, described yoga as “an invaluable gift of Indian heritage that teaches the world the art of living well.” She called it a powerful science that connects the body, mind, and soul.
From mountaintops to coastlines, from government corridors to rural villages, International Yoga Day 2025 marked another milestone in promoting wellness, unity, and sustainability—showcasing India’s leadership in the global health movement.
