PM Modi leads national observance for 12th International Day of Yoga in Kolkata
Kolkata, June 21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the national observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga at the Red Road in Kolkata, joining the participants in celebrating the global event centred on wellness and healthy living.
The 12th edition of the International Day of Yoga is being observed across the country and around the world on Sunday under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', highlighting the role of yoga in promoting healthy and active living across all stages of life.
This year's theme, 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', reflects the growing global emphasis on healthy and active living across the lifespan. As populations age and non-communicable diseases and lifestyle-related health concerns rise globally, the emphasis is shifting from simply adding years to life to enhancing health span, quality of life and overall well-being.
Marking the occasion, renowned international sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo created a special sand animation at his studio in Odisha's Puri to celebrate International Day of Yoga 2026. The artwork, completed in approximately 30 minutes, highlighted this year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing."
The sand animation underscored the importance of yoga in maintaining physical fitness, mental well-being and an active lifestyle throughout life. It also featured a depiction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi practising yoga, symbolising the global movement towards embracing yoga as a way of life and promoting health and wellness for all generations.
Through this creative presentation, Manas Kumar Sahoo conveyed a powerful message encouraging people to adopt yoga in their daily lives for a healthier, happier, and more balanced future.
India and Yoga share a bond that spans millennia. Rooted in India's ancient traditions, Yoga has evolved from a spiritual and philosophical practice into a global movement for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Recognising its universal appeal and benefits, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga in 2014. The proposal, introduced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 69th session of the UN, was supported by 175 member states. The first observance was held on 21st June 2015.
This landmark recognition acknowledged India's contribution to global wellness. It also carried yoga's journey to a new stage, transforming it into a worldwide celebration across continents.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The sand animation by Manas Kumar Sahoo from Odisha is beautiful! It's amazing how traditional art forms like sand animation can spread such powerful messages. This is the real India - yoga meets art meets wellness. Kudos to all participants!
While I appreciate the global recognition of yoga, I wish the government focused more on making yoga accessible to common people in rural areas, not just glamorous events in cities. Many villages still lack basic healthcare, let alone yoga instructors. Just saying... 🤔
I started yoga during the pandemic and it changed my life! My blood pressure is under control, stress is manageable, and I feel 5 years younger at 45. 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' is the perfect theme. My mom (72) also does simple asanas daily. Such a holistic practice! 🌸
As someone from the UK who has practiced yoga for years, it's wonderful to see India leading this global movement. The theme of healthy aging resonates with us all. PM Modi's vision to get UN recognition for International Yoga Day was a masterstroke. Namaste from London! 🙏
I have mixed feelings. On one hand, yoga is a great Indian heritage. On the other hand, these massive events often feel like photo ops rather than genuine wellness promotion. Maybe we should have smaller, community-driven programs instead of big rallies? Just my two paise. 🧘♂️
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