Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Kolkata’s iconic Red Road, describing Yoga Day as the “world’s biggest festival” that now unites millions of people across continents.
Addressing a large gathering of yoga enthusiasts, PM Modi highlighted the global reach of the event and said that June 21 has evolved into the largest collective celebration in the world.
“Yoga Day has become the world’s biggest festival. Visuals of celebrations are coming from every corner of the world,” the Prime Minister said.
A Global Celebration
PM Modi noted that June 21 already holds astronomical significance as the longest day of the year in many parts of the world. However, the International Day of Yoga has given the date an additional global identity.
“June 21 is the day with the longest duration of daylight in several regions of the world. Because of International Yoga Day, it has also become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration,” he said.
Emphasising yoga’s power to connect humanity, he added, “Yoga unites us. I extend my greetings and congratulations to everyone on Yog Diwas.”
India Filled With The Energy Of Yoga
The Prime Minister said the spirit of yoga could be felt across the country, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean.
“From the Northeast and Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west, the entire nation appears to be filled with the energy of yoga today,” he said.
PM Modi also appreciated Kolkata’s cleanliness initiative, calling it a model for other cities to follow.
“I congratulate Kolkata for its ‘Swachhta Se Swagat’ initiative. It is an inspiration for everyone,” he remarked.
Theme: Yoga For Healthy Ageing
This year’s International Yoga Day is being celebrated under the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, highlighting the role of yoga in maintaining physical health, mental well-being, emotional balance, and active living throughout life.
Explaining the significance of the theme, PM Modi said yoga helps individuals remain healthier, more energetic, and more resilient at every stage of life.
“Our goal should be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20, more energetic at 50 than we were at 30, and more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. Yoga helps us achieve that,” he said.
He added that regular yoga practice not only improves flexibility and energy levels but also promotes a calm, stress-free lifestyle while reducing the risk of lifestyle-related diseases.
“Yoga teaches us to remain lifelong learners of our bodies and minds. The better we understand ourselves, the better we can manage our lives,” the Prime Minister said.
Not Just For The Elderly
PM Modi stressed that the theme should not be viewed solely as an initiative for senior citizens.
“Yoga for Healthy Ageing is a theme for people of all ages, not just the elderly,” he said.
Worldwide Participation
According to official estimates, International Yoga Day 2026 is being observed at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, with participation from more than 210 Indian missions and diplomatic posts.
Thousands of yoga practitioners joined PM Modi in Kolkata for the Common Yoga Protocol session at Red Road, making it one of the largest Yoga Day gatherings in the country.
The International Day of Yoga was first celebrated in 2015 after India’s proposal was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Since then, the event has grown into a global movement promoting health, wellness, and harmony.
The Kolkata event marked the 12th edition of the worldwide observance and reinforced yoga’s status as one of India’s most influential global contributions.