Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the nation in celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata's iconic Red Road, emphasising that yoga serves as a pathway to physical fitness through mental well-being.
Modi performed yoga alongside thousands of practitioners at the iconic venue, flanked by the Indian Army's Eastern Command headquarters on one side and the sprawling Maidan grounds on the other.
Addressing the gathering, the prime minister noted that June 21, the longest day of the year, has evolved into one of the world's largest community celebrations because of yoga.
“June 21 marks the longest day on Earth; it has now become the largest community celebration day because of yoga,” Modi said, adding that the ancient practice fosters unity and brings people together across cultures and nations.
This year's celebrations are being observed under the theme "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," highlighting yoga's role in promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, emotional resilience, and active ageing.
Describing yoga as more than just a form of exercise, Modi said, “Yoga is not just physical exercise and is not restricted to any age group; it is an expression of the human spirit. Our target should be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20.”
He stressed that yoga encourages a balanced lifestyle by teaching discipline and mindful living. “Yoga helps us find the path to physical fitness through mental health,” he said.
The prime minister also urged people to integrate yoga into their daily routines rather than limiting its practice to special occasions.
According to an official statement, Yoga Day celebrations are being held at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, with participation from more than 210 Indian missions and diplomatic posts, reinforcing yoga's status as a global movement for health, harmony, and collective well-being.
Since the inception of the International Day of Yoga in 2015, following the adoption of India's proposal by the United Nations General Assembly, Modi has led celebrations from several locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York City, Srinagar, and Visakhapatnam.
