Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mass yoga session on Red Road in Kolkata on June 21 to mark International Yoga Day [1].
The event highlights India's effort to position yoga as a global tool for public health and diplomacy. By centering the celebration on healthy ageing, the government aims to address the physical and mental challenges associated with an ageing global population.
This year marked the 12th edition of International Yoga Day [1]. The 2026 theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing," focused on the role of the practice in improving mental well-being, and promoting world peace [2]. During the event in Kolkata, thousands of participants joined the Prime Minister in performing yoga poses [5].
Modi said, "We will make yoga a part of our lives" [5]. He said the practice is a bridge between nations, and that yoga has the power to unite the entire world and connect people across borders [5].
The celebrations extended beyond the borders of India. Approximately 2,500 locations worldwide held events to commemorate the day [4]. To support this global outreach, more than 210 Indian missions and posts participated in the festivities [4].
During his address, Modi said the practice is a catalyst for world peace and healthy ageing [3]. He advocated for the integration of yoga into daily routines to ensure long-term wellness for all citizens.
The gathering on Red Road served as the primary domestic focal point for the day's activities, a tradition of high-visibility mass sessions intended to inspire citizens to adopt healthier lifestyles.
“We will make yoga a part of our lives”
The 12th International Yoga Day demonstrates India's continued use of 'soft power' to export cultural practices as global health standards. By aligning the 2026 theme with healthy ageing, the initiative targets a critical demographic shift in global healthcare, attempting to pivot yoga from a niche fitness activity to a systemic public health intervention for the elderly.
