UN Geneva marks International Day of Yoga at 'Palais des Nations'
Geneva, June 21
Participants gathered on Flag Alley at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Sunday to mark the International Day of Yoga at an event organised by India's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva.
In a post on X, Director-General of UN Geneva Tatiana Valovaya highlighted the global significance of Yoga Day and its role in promoting well-being and harmony.
She said, "Today at the Palais des Nations, participants gathered on Flag Alley to mark the International Day of Yoga, organised by @IndiaUNGeneva."
She added, "Observed around the world, Yoga Day highlights the benefits of yoga for physical and mental well-being and promotes harmony between people and nature. #YogaDay."
Meanwhile, the British High Commission in India marked International Yoga Day, lauding the ancient Indian practice for uniting people worldwide.
In a post on X, the British High Commission in India said, "On International Yoga Day, we join millions across the world in celebrating a practice that originated in ancient India and today unites people across the world in a shared sense of balance and wellbeing."
The British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru also marked the International Yoga Day 2026 with a session on this year's theme, 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'.
In a post on X, the British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru said, "Our team marked International Yoga Day 2026, with a session on 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. We join the High Commission of India in London, the Indian diaspora in the UK, and communities worldwide, in celebrating Yoga and the living, breathing connection between our nations."
Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar celebrated the International Day of Yoga with the Diplomatic Corps.
In a post on X, he said, "Joined the Diplomatic Corps at New Delhi to celebrate the International Day of Yoga. As PM Narendra Modi highlighted, we must strive to make yoga a part of our lives, part of our families, and a part of our coming generations."
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga, performing yoga asanas alongside thousands of people at Kolkata's Red Road and asserting that yoga has the power to unite the entire world.
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.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice to see the global recognition, but I wish we had more focus on yoga for mental health, especially among our youth. The pressure of exams and jobs is immense, and simple pranayama could do wonders. Let's not just make it a ceremonial thing. 🤔
Great initiative! As someone from the US, I've practiced yoga for years. It's amazing to see it celebrated at the UN level. The theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' is so relevant today—we all need to focus on quality of life as we grow older. 🧘
Kudos to the MEA and PM Modi for making Yoga a global brand. But we need to ensure the benefits reach rural India too. Many villagers still don't have access to basic yoga classes or awareness. Hope the next Yoga Day focuses on inclusivity. 🌿
Lovely to see the British High Commission in India and the Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru participating. It shows how yoga can build bridges between nations. The practice really does promote harmony between people and nature. 🕊️
While the international recognition is good, I think we should also acknowledge the commercialization of yoga abroad. Many Western studios have diluted its spiritual essence. We need to preserve the authenticity of this ancient practice, not just its physical benefits. 🙏
T We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.