International Day of Yoga 2026: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performs Yoga with around 1,000 soldiers at Eastern Air Command HQs in Shillong
Shillong, June 21
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Defence Forces and the Ministry of Defence in celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga by performing various asanas and breathing exercises with around 1,000 soldiers of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army at the Eastern Air Command Headquarters in Shillong, Meghalaya, on Sunday.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, and General Officer Commanding of Headquarters 101 Area Lieutenant General Mohit Wadhwa also performed Yoga along with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Addressing mediapersons on the occasion, Rajnath Singh described Yoga as a holistic science and an art of living that connects individuals with their inner selves, society, nature, and ultimately, the divine. He added that yoga offers a path to inner stability, mental clarity, and emotional resilience.
In a post on X, the Defence Minister credited the persistent efforts and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making Yoga a global movement, which is providing health benefits to people across the world. He emphasised that Yoga symbolises the power of India's ancient traditions, which ensures the well-being of all humanity.
He appealed to the people to make Yoga an integral part of their daily lives to build a healthy body, a calm mind, and a strong nation.
All the participants witnessed the Prime Minister's IDY speech delivered from the historic Red Road in Kolkata, West Bengal. Yoga sessions were also conducted at numerous forward locations, reflecting the dedication and enthusiasm of the defence forces personnel.
Sanjay Seth celebrated Yoga Day at Swarn Jyanti Dikshant Mandap, Ranchi University, at an event organised by the Ministry of AYUSH. He, too, underlined the need to incorporate yoga in day-to-day lives as it teaches one to remain calm in favourable or adverse circumstances. He termed it as the most powerful medium for fostering positivity within.
Chief of Defence Staff General NS Raja Subramani led the Yoga Day celebrations organised by HQ, Integrated Defence Staff at the National War Memorial, New Delhi. Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit and other senior officers and their families attended the event.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Finance) Shri Vishvajit Sahay and Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) Anugraha Narayana Das, along with other senior officials of the Ministry of Defence & Defence Accounts Department, performed Yoga at the office of CGDA in New Delhi.
Celebrating 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', the theme of IDY 2026, more than 10,000 officials of the Defence Accounts Department across the country joined the virtual mass movement to promote yoga and overall well-being.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Impressive scale! 1,000 soldiers doing yoga together must have been quite a sight. I've practiced yoga for years in Canada, and it's amazing to see how India has made it a global movement. The theme of "Yoga for Healthy Ageing" is especially relevant—our defense personnel need mental clarity and physical strength for demanding roles.
Nice initiative, but I wish more focus was on actual health benefits rather than political messaging. Yoga is a personal journey, not a propaganda tool. Still, good to see our armed forces taking time for wellness—they need it more than anyone. Also, Conrad Sangma's presence shows bi-partisan appreciation for yoga's value. 🧘♀️
As a retired Army officer, I can tell you—yoga should be mandatory in all defense units. It helps with stress, posture, and team bonding. I remember doing surya namaskar every morning in my unit, and it kept us grounded. Kudos to Rajnath ji and the Air Marshal for leading from the front. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
Interesting to see defense forces participating so enthusiastically. In the US, yoga is common in military wellness programs too, but India's scale is unmatched—10,000 accounts department officials joining virtually? That's commitment! Though I wonder if the focus on PM Modi's praise overshadows yoga's universal appeal. Never mind, health is health.
Shillong ka mausam aur yoga—perfect combo! 😍 Meghalaya is such a beautiful state
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.