"His dream of Fit India...we have to make it true": Shilpa Shetty credits PM Modi for yoga's global recognition
Mumbai, June 21
Actor and fitness enthusiast Shilpa Shetty Kundra lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts in promoting yoga across India and the world.
Known for her commitment to fitness, Shilpa highlighted yoga's Indian roots and expressed pride in seeing the discipline gain global recognition.
"I feel very proud that yoga belongs to India and that people in the West are adopting it," the 'Dhadkan' star told ANI.
She also credited Prime Minister Modi for bringing yoga to the forefront of public discourse and encouraging wider participation through initiatives such as the Fit India Movement.
Shilpa said, "Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that he will give importance to yoga. The recognition that yoga has received in today's times, it is because of him. I would like to thank him for this.
Calling International Yoga Day a significant occasion, she encouraged people to incorporate yoga into their daily routines rather than treating it as a one-day activity.
"I feel that this is a wonderful day to make the decision that you should adopt yoga in your life and make it a lifestyle," she added.
Voicing support for the PM Modi's Fit India Movement, Shilpa said that citizens must collectively work towards realising its vision of a healthier nation.
"The movement of Fit India that he started, that dream, we have to make it come true," she said.
A long-time advocate of healthy living, Shetty has consistently promoted yoga through her fitness initiatives and social media platforms, often highlighting its benefits for physical health, mental well-being, and emotional balance.
"I want as many people as possible to adopt yoga. Not only as science and exercise, but as a lifestyle. I think I have made it that. I just feel that one can understand the benefits of yoga once they start doing it. More than physical fitness, I give more importance to mental fitness. So yoga just keeps you so balanced and so focused. And you will feel very positive as well when you take up yoga," the actor shared.
The theme of International Day of Yoga 2026, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing", highlights the role of Yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience and active ageing, thereby contributing to an improved quality of life.
The theme is particularly relevant in an era of increasing life expectancy and growing emphasis on healthy, active and dignified ageing.
Since its inception in 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted India's proposal to observe 21st June as IDY, the Prime Minister has led the celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar and Vishakhapatnam, the release said.
Yoga Day celebrations are being organised across nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, with participation from more than 210 Indian Missions and Posts, reaffirming Yoga's status as a global movement for health, harmony and collective well-being.
On this occasion, Shilpa Shetty is all set to headline a public yoga event in Gurugram. She will conduct a special yoga session for the attendees as part of the International Yoga Day celebrations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
While I appreciate the global recognition, I feel like we sometimes over-credit politicians for things that yoga masters and gurus have been promoting for decades. Shilpa herself has been doing yoga since before Modi became PM. Still, any promotion of health is good. Just wish we'd also focus on India's pollution and obesity crisis more practically.
As someone from the US who has been practicing yoga for 10 years, it's amazing how much Indian culture has influenced wellness globally. I visited Rishikesh last year and it was life-changing. Shilpa's passion is genuine - you can see it in her Instagram workouts. Keep spreading the positivity! 🌏
Fit India movement is nice in theory, but we need better sports infrastructure in tier-2 towns. I'm from Lucknow and our local park's yoga area is crumbling. Shilpa should visit smaller cities too, not just Gurugram events. Still, good to see Bollywood using their platform for something meaningful.
I'm a yoga teacher in Canada and I always credit India when I teach. My students love learning about the philosophy behind the asanas. Modi ji's UN speech in 2014 was a turning point - suddenly everyone wanted to know about "the real yoga." Shilpa is right, we should all adopt it as a lifestyle, not just a workout.
Love how Shilpa emphasizes mental fitness too! In today's stressful times, yoga is a lifesaver. I do 20 minutes every morning before work and it completely changes my day. The "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" theme is perfect for our generation - my 60-year-old mother started yoga last year
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.