Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the national observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Red Road in Kolkata today. Shri Modi participated in the Common Yoga Protocol session along with thousands of Yoga practitioners. Extending his greetings to people across the world on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Shri Modi observed that June 21 is marked by the longest day of the year in several parts of the world and has also emerged as one of the largest collective celebrations of humanity through yoga.

Addressing the gathering in Kolkata, the Prime Minister said that inspiring images of yoga were being witnessed from different parts of the world. “From the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, and from Bengal and the Northeast to the western region of Saurashtra, the entire nation appeared energized by the spirit of yoga. The country and the world seemed connected through a shared commitment to wellness and harmony, reflecting the unifying power of yoga”, remarked Shri Modi.

The Prime Minister also praised the people of Kolkata for their efforts under the “Swachhta Se Swagat” initiative. He said that the dedication, hard work and civic responsibility demonstrated by the citizens in maintaining cleanliness had become an inspiration for people across the country.

Shri Modi stated that celebrating Yoga Day in West Bengal carried special significance because of the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. He recalled that Bengal is the land where Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramahansa lived and taught, from where Swami Vivekananda introduced India’s spiritual wisdom and yoga traditions to the world, and where Maharshi Aurobindo and Lahiri Mahasaya contributed immensely to the advancement of yogic thought and practice. Referring to the teachings of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Prime Minister said that true human identity is shaped through meaningful connections with the world around us, a principle that lies at the heart of yoga. He also cited Maharshi Aurobindo’s belief that the whole of life is yoga, observing that when yoga becomes part of one’s nature, it strengthens the foundation of human unity. “Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise and cannot be confined to any particular age group. It is a source of consciousness, vitality and inner illumination that enriches every stage of human life”, Shri Modi emphasised. Referring to this year’s International Day of Yoga theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, he said that yoga offers a pathway to remaining healthy, active and energetic even as one grows older.