“Yoga is more than a physical exercise and is not confined to any age group. It is a source of consciousness, vitality and inner energy that enriches human life and has been an integral part of India’s cultural and spiritual heritage for centuries,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the yoga enthusiasts participating in the International Day of Yoga event in Kolkata on Sunday (June 21, 2026).
International Yoga Day 2026 LIVE
Celebrating the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) and referring to this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, the Prime Minister said that the theme serves as a guiding principle for building a society that remains healthy, active and energetic throughout life. He noted that healthy ageing is not merely about adding years to life, but about adding vitality, purpose and well-being to those years.
“June 21, in some parts of the Earth marks the longest day, and because of International Yoga Day, this day has also become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration,” the Prime Minister said participating at an event on International Yoga Day in Kolkata.
Mr. Modi, who participated in Yoga along with a crowd of 35,000 people at Kolkata’s Red Road referred to Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Maharshi Aurobindo and Lahiri Mahasaya said that they took the “yoga tradition to new heights”.
Observing that the sense of connection is the very essence of Yoga, the Prime Minister said that the whole country and the entire world seem connected to one another, adding “this is the very power of Yoga.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participates in the 12th International Yoga Day in Kolkata on June 21, 2026. Photo: PIB Ayush Ministry
The Prime Minister observed that when we speak of yoga for healthy ageing, it signifies a collective commitment to ensuring that advancing age does not diminish human potential. Rather, yoga empowers individuals to continue aspiring for growth, excellence and self-improvement at every stage of life.
From physical wellness to inner peace, yoga enriches every aspect of life. Delighted to join this year's celebrations in Kolkata. https://t.co/75UZECw8JR
“Yoga has transformative potential and aspiration should be to become more flexible at the age of forty than at twenty, more energetic at fifty than at thirty, and more resilient to lifestyle-related diseases at seventy than at fifty. Yoga provides the discipline, strength and balance required to achieve these goals by nurturing physical fitness, mental clarity, and emotional well-being,’’ said the PM.
He added that Yoga inspires individuals to pursue continuous growth and self-discovery. Through regular practice, it strengthens the body, calms the mind and cultivates inner resilience, enabling people to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
The Prime Minister called upon citizens to adopt yoga as a lifelong discipline, emphasizing that its benefits extend far beyond personal well-being.
Meanwhile, as part of the nationwide observance, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda participated in a mass yoga session organised at Shantipath, New Delhi. The Union Health Minister joined citizens, healthcare professionals, officials and volunteers in performing various yoga asanas and breathing exercises.
“Yoga, an ancient gift of India’s civilizational heritage, has today emerged as a global movement for health and well-being,’’ he said, adding that yoga offers a holistic pathway to healthy and active ageing by promoting physical fitness, mental clarity, emotional balance and overall well-being. He noted that in an era marked by increasing stress, sedentary lifestyles and lifestyle-related disorders, yoga provides a natural and sustainable means of restoring balance and harmony within the body and mind.
This was the first occasion that International Yoga Day celebrations were observed in Kolkata with lot of fanfare. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and several other BJP leaders and Ministers were present at Yoga day celebrations. The venue of the Yoga Day and the Kolkata river front was decked up over the past several days. Screens live streaming the event at Red Road were set up in several parts of the city since Sunday (June 21) morning.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my brothers and sisters in Kolkata for being such extraordinary hosts for this year’s International Yoga Day event. Celebrating International Yoga Day in such a vibrant city is truly an honor,”the Prime Minister posted on social media. He also praised a citywide cleanliness drive was held and called it inspiring.
Published - June 21, 2026 07:31 am IST
Narendra Modi / health / Kolkata
Source: The Hindu - India News
