Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a mass yoga session on Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday to mark International Day of Yoga.
The event underscores India's effort to promote traditional wellness practices as a tool for global diplomacy and public health. By centering the celebration on healthy ageing and unity, the administration seeks to integrate yoga into daily life on a global scale.
This event marked the 12th edition of International Day of Yoga [1]. Thousands of participants joined the Prime Minister in the mass session [3], gathering at the Red Road venue to practice the discipline collectively.
During the proceedings, Modi emphasized the capacity of the practice to bridge cultural and national divides. "Yoga can unite the entire world," Modi said [1].
He also focused on the physiological benefits of the practice, specifically as it relates to the elderly. "Yoga for healthy ageing," Modi said [1].
The Prime Minister called for a long-term commitment to the practice rather than treating the day as a one-time event. "We will make yoga a part of our lives," Modi said [3].
The mass session in Kolkata served as a centerpiece for the day's global celebrations, combining physical exercise with a message of international harmony. The gathering highlighted the continued growth of the observance since its inception, evolving into a large-scale public health initiative supported by the Indian government.
“Yoga can unite the entire world.”
The 12th anniversary of International Day of Yoga demonstrates the Indian government's successful institutionalization of yoga as a pillar of 'soft power.' By linking the practice to global unity and healthy ageing, India positions its traditional knowledge as a scalable solution for modern public health challenges and international diplomacy.
