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The tranquil shores of Visakhapatnam witnessed a historic gathering as Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations on 21 June 2025. With over 3 lakh participants assembling at the venue, the event became the world’s largest yoga gathering, underscoring yoga’s universal appeal and India’s leadership in promoting holistic health and well-being. Addressing the vast crowd and millions more globally, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the essence of yoga as a unifying force. “Yoga is to unite,” he reiterated, emphasizing how the practice transcends boundaries of geography, background, age, and ability
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said from the summit of Mount Everest to the depths of the oceans, from urban metropolises to rural hamlets, yoga has become a global language of inner peace and wellness.
Reflecting on the journey of International Yoga Day since its inception, the Prime Minister recalled India’s proposal at the United Nations, which received support from 175 nations—an unprecedented show of global solidarity. Over the last eleven years, yoga has evolved from an ancient Indian practice into a worldwide wellness movement, symbolizing balance, discipline, and unity.
Visakhapatnam: A Symbol of Natural Harmony and Progress
Lauding the scenic and progressive city of Visakhapatnam, PM Shri Modi thanked the people and the Andhra Pradesh government for the excellent organization of the event. He extended appreciation to Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Shri Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Shri Nara Lokesh for spearheading the successful “Yogandhra Abhiyan”—a statewide yoga initiative that engaged over 2 crore participants. The Prime Minister noted that this public participation reflects the spirit of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation), essential for building a Viksit Bharat (developed India).
Shri Modi particularly praised the inclusive nature of the campaign and Shri Lokesh’s role in making yoga a true social celebration. The large-scale participation of youth, especially from rural and tribal regions, including 22,000 tribal students performing Surya Namaskar in record time, marked an inspiring milestone. The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing how Divyang individuals are reading yogic texts in Braille and how scientists are practicing yoga in space. He also noted enthusiastic participation of youth from rural areas in Yoga Olympiads. Shri 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.”
Theme 2025: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underlines the interconnectedness of all life forms. PM Shri Modi elaborated that human health is intrinsically linked to the well-being of soil, rivers, flora, fauna, and the environment. He described yoga as a journey from “Me to We”, a transition from personal discipline to collective responsibility. Citing India’s civilizational ethos of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah—welfare of all—he urged the world to embrace yoga as a lifestyle that promotes harmony between individual well-being and planetary health.
The Prime Minister also addressed growing global challenges such as stress, anxiety, and instability. “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs—to breathe, to balance, to become whole again,” he said. Urging global citizens and policymakers to adopt yoga
“Attended the International Yoga Day celebrations at Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur. Yoga gives clarity to the people in chaos. It is an art, a science, a philosophy, and spirituality. Those who practice Yoga in their daily lives have control over their body and mind. It makes us positive and proactive”.
– Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister, GoI
“Today, on the occasion of the 11th ‘International Yoga Day,’ I practiced yoga with our yoga-loving brothers and sisters at Kartavya Path in New Delhi.Yoga provides balance and health to our physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions, ensuring a happy and fulfilling life.Due to the initiative of the respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, yoga has gained global recognition, resulting in people worldwide becoming aware of yoga over the past 10 years and adopting it in their daily lives.I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on ‘International Yoga Day.”– JP Nadda, National President BJP
“Yoga, which brings unity to mind, body, and spirit, has become a part of people’s daily lives worldwide. On the occasion of ‘International Yoga Day,’ practiced yoga with the community in Ahmedabad.”
– Amit Shah, Union Home & Cooperation Minister, GoI
beyond personal practice, he envisioned “Yoga for Humanity 2.0” where inner peace
transforms into a global policy of peace and cooperation.
Scientific Validation and Digital Dissemination
Highlighting efforts to integrate yoga into modern healthcare, PM Modi spoke of significant research by institutions like AIIMS, which shows yoga’s positive effects on cardiac, neurological, and mental health. The inclusion of yoga modules in medical education and the promotion of evidence-based therapy further reflect India’s intent to place yoga at the heart of contemporary wellness science.
Through the National Ayush Mission, yoga and wellness are being promoted digitally. The Prime Minister noted that over one million yoga-related events have been registered via platforms like the Yoga Portal and YogAndhra Portal, signaling a growing grassroots-level engagement with yoga.
To globalize India’s wellness offerings, the government has introduced e-Ayush visas, facilitating international visitors seeking holistic healing in India. PM Modi emphasized the “Heal in India” initiative, highlighting yoga’s pivotal role in establishing India as a hub for wellness tourism.
National Participation and Guinness World Records
In his address, Union Ayush Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav hailed PM Modi’s visionary role in elevating yoga to a global stage. He announced ten signature events under IDY 2025, including Harit Yoga (tree plantation), Yoga Parks, and Yoga Mahakumbh, with participation from over 10 lakh organizations. Shri Jadhav also introduced Ayush Aahar—a healthy, Moringa-based diet—distributed at 70 locations in Delhi during the event.
Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu expressed pride in Andhra Pradesh’s enthusiastic celebration of the event and noted that the Yogandhra campaign had created multiple world records. Deputy CM Shri Pawan Kalyan and Minister Shri Nara Lokesh also participated actively, reinforcing the message that yoga is both a personal practice and a public movement.
A Nationwide Celebration of Wellness
Celebrations were not confined to Visakhapatnam. Across India, cabinet ministers and dignitaries led yoga sessions in iconic locations. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh participated in Udhampur, calling yoga “a way of life.” Home Minister Shri Amit Shah practiced yoga in Ahmedabad and remarked on its unifying power. Health Minister JP Nadda, at Kartavya Path in Delhi, said yoga nurtures physical, mental, and spiritual balance.
Over 9 lakh NCC cadets celebrate 11th International Day of Yoga
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) also played a significant role in spreading the message. Over 9 lakh cadets participated in synchronized yoga sessions across India, including scenic locations such as Marina Beach, Dal Lake, and Shanti Stupa, underscoring the youth’s deep-rooted commitment to health and discipline.
In Delhi alone, over 100 events marked the celebration. From schoolchildren to defence attachés of 25 countries, the diverse participation painted a vibrant picture of yoga’s growing influence.
A Global Resolution for a Harmonious Future
Concluding his speech, Prime Minister Shri Modi urged citizens worldwide to make yoga a part of their daily routine. He envisioned yoga as a jan andolan—a people’s movement—that can lead the world toward harmony, sustainability, and peace.
“Let Yoga for One Earth, One Health become a global resolution,” he declared, reinforcing that yoga is not just about individual health, but a collective path to global well-being.