India marked the 11th International Yoga Day on 21 June with huge turnout inside the nation and globally. The day had the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, and it highlighted the close connection between individual health and global well-being.
PM Modi Leads from Andhra Pradesh
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the national event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where over 3 lakh people had come together to do the Common Yoga Protocol. The mega gathering formed a part of the “Yoga Sangam” initiative, which was organized jointly by the Ministry of AYUSH and the Andhra Pradesh government. The event witnessed synchronized yoga demonstrations at more than 1 lakh sites in India, with over 2 crore participants. An endeavor to set a Guinness World Record, the government of Andhra Pradesh distributed over 50 lakh digital participation certificates. On the campus of Andhra University, a poignant demonstration of discipline was witnessed as 25,000 tribal students executed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes, demonstrating the transformative nature of yoga among youth and tribal populations.
National-level Engagement
In Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presided over a special yoga session at Gorakhnath Temple in Gorakhpur. The state also opened 100 “Yoga Parks” throughout its cities to promote daily practice by the citizens. King George’s Medical University (KGMU) also hosted a mass yoga demonstration trying to create a new record with its “Surya Namaskar Yoga Mudra.” Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also participated in a yoga session in Jammu and Kashmir, again demonstrating the government’s initiative to include all areas in national wellness initiatives.
Global Participation
Globally, Indian missions in over 100 countries organized special yoga events. A symbolic yoga session was organized at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to mark the occasion, reiterating yoga’s diplomatic international appeal. In Japan, First Lady Mrs. Shigeru Ishiba and more than 2,000 others attended a mass yoga session. In France, local institutions and the Indian Embassy cooperated to popularize yoga and cultural exchanges.
Yoga’s Growing Reach
As per government statistics, almost 24% of Indians practice yoga today—11% on a daily basis, and 13% from time to time. With the development of new yoga parks and institutional extension, the AYUSH Ministry intends to increase yoga’s penetration, especially in rural and tribal communities.
Message of the Prime Minister
Speaking to the country from Visakhapatnam, PM Modi stated:
“Yoga is a priceless gift from India to the world. It promotes a holistic approach to health—body, mind, and spirit. This year’s theme reminds us that the health of the individual and the health of the Earth are inseparably linked.”
About International Yoga Day
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the International Day of Yoga in 2014, and it has been observed every year on June 21 since 2015. Its purpose is to make the world aware of the numerous benefits of yoga.
International Yoga Day 2025 celebrated India’s cultural leadership and its increasing focus on wellness as a cornerstone of diplomacy and public health. The sheer magnitude of participation, both national and international, testifies to the growing influence of yoga in fostering balance, mindfulness, and community consciousness.
