Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, June 20, 2025, Kolkata :
In an awe-inspiring display of unity, health, and spiritual connection, millions of people across India gathered on June 21 to celebrate the 11th International Day of Yoga. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading the nationwide festivities, conducted a mass yoga demonstration in the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where thousands of participants gathered at RK Beach.
Dressed in traditional white, PM Modi emphasized the global significance of yoga, especially in today’s world, which faces growing tensions and unrest. “Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe, to balance, to become whole again,” he said. Highlighting this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ he reminded the crowd of the interconnectedness of all life on Earth, from the soil that nurtures us to the rivers and animals that sustain our ecosystem. He also called for a “Yoga for Humanity 2.0,” where inner peace becomes a global priority.
In Manmathpur, a special yoga event organized by the Bharat Sevashram Sangha at the Pranab Mandir took place, highlighting the importance of yoga not just for physical well-being but as a means of spiritual growth. Revered Gautam Maharaj of the Mahishadal branch explained, “Yoga is not just a physical practice, it is a path of deep spiritual practice. It harmonizes our body, mind, and soul, leading to inner peace and self-discipline.”
In addition, the Bharat Sevashram Sangha celebrated Yoga Day in multiple locations, following the principles of the organization’s founder, Acharya Srimat Swami Pranabanandaji Maharaj, to promote Indian culture and philosophy. Participants performed yoga under strict adherence to government protocols, underscoring the event’s significance in cultivating a healthy, balanced life.
In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, alongside Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, joined the celebrations, marking a record turnout. Naidu announced that the state set a remarkable 23 global records, including two Guinness World Records and 21 World Book of Records titles. The most notable achievement was the participation of 3.03 lakh people performing yoga together at a single location, setting a world record. Another Guinness World Record was created by 22,122 tribal students who performed 108 Surya Namaskars for 108 minutes.
In Delhi, 3,400 participants, including diplomats, NCC cadets, and students, gathered at the Cariappa Parade Ground for a grand yoga session. Lt. Gen. N.S. Raja Subramani, Vice Chief of the Army Staff, led the event, while Indian Air Force personnel formed a symbolic display of ‘OP SINDOOR’ as they performed asanas at Subroto Park.
President Droupadi Murmu, speaking at an event in Dehradun, described yoga as a “shared legacy of mankind,” emphasizing that it transcends religion and community. Similarly, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, alongside other dignitaries, participated in yoga sessions across the country, reinforcing yoga’s global reach.
Many state leaders took the opportunity to launch significant initiatives. In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta performed yoga by the Yamuna River, while UP CM Yogi Adityanath led celebrations in Gorakhpur. In Haryana, CM Nayab Singh Saini, joined by yoga guru Ramdev, introduced a five-minute daily yoga break in all government offices and proposed a uniform yoga curriculum across universities and colleges in the state.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami introduced India’s first Yoga Policy, aiming to transform the state into a global wellness hub. Goa CM Pramod Sawant encouraged schools to dedicate 15 minutes daily to yoga, while in Bihar, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan joined a special session at Raj Bhavan’s Darbar Hall.
The celebration also saw over 3,000 persons with disabilities performing yoga in Hyderabad, sending a powerful message of inclusivity. Additionally, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) organized sessions at 81 heritage sites, including the Konark Sun Temple, Adalaj Ki Vav, and Jantar Mantar, further integrating India’s rich cultural heritage with the yoga movement.
The global recognition of International Yoga Day, proclaimed by the United Nations in December 2014, is now a widespread movement with India’s initiative earning the backing of a record 175 countries. Over the years, this celebration has grown beyond a mere physical exercise event, symbolizing a global call for peace, wellness, and a deeper connection to the self.
As International Yoga Day 2025 concluded, the collective spirit of mindfulness, health, and unity resonated from India’s cities, rural landscapes, and historic sites, reaffirming yoga’s status as both a gift of India to the world and a tool for universal well-being.