Glimpses of the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations at Visakhapatnam, in Andhra Pradesh on June 21, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event.
Visakhapatnam: To commemorate the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam. He participated in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session at the picturesque beachfront, accompanied by nearly 500,000 participants, as he directed the nation in a collective yoga demonstration.
Concurrently, yoga sangam events were held at over 350,000 locations across India. This year featured new competitions such as Yoga with Family and youth-focused initiatives under Yoga Unplugged, which were promoted on platforms like MyGov and MyBharat to encourage widespread participation.
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” highlights the link between human well-being and the health of our planet, embodying a worldwide vision of collective wellness that is deeply rooted in India’s philosophy of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).
Since its inception in 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) approved India’s proposal to mark June 21 as International Day of Yoga (IDY), the Prime Minister has spearheaded the celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar. IDY has evolved into a major global health initiative.
In his address, the Prime Minister conveyed greetings to the people throughout India and around the globe on International Yoga Day, emphasising that this year marks the 11th time the world has united on June 21st to engage in yoga together. Modi stated that the core principle of yoga is “to unite”, and it is uplifting to witness how yoga has brought the world together.
Reflecting on the evolution of Yoga over the last ten years, Modi reminisced about the moment when India introduced the concept of International Yoga Day at the United Nations. He pointed out that 175 nations backed the initiative, a remarkable example of such extensive global solidarity. He stressed that this support was not just for a proposal but symbolised a unified endeavour by the world for the betterment of humanity. “After eleven years, yoga has become a fundamental aspect of the daily lives of millions worldwide,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing how Divyang individuals were reading yogic texts in Braille and how scientists were practising yoga in space. He also noted enthusiastic participation of youth from rural areas in Yoga Olympiads. Modi underscored that whether it is the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the summit of Mount Everest, or the vast expanse of the ocean, the message remains the same: “Yoga is for everyone and for all, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.”
– global bihari bureau
