New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the main event of the International Day of Yoga in Kolkata on June 21, Union Minister for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav said here on Monday.
Addressing a press conference, Jadhav said this year’s theme, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing‘, highlights the role of yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being and healthy ageing.
“This year’s main event of the International Day of Yoga will be held on Kolkata’s historic Red Road under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
Jadhav said that International Day of Yoga (IDY) is receiving unprecedented support across the globe and yoga events will be held in nearly 2,500 locations worldwide.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi, Yoga has evolved into a global mass movement and millions of people across the world have embraced yoga as an integral part of their daily lives,” the minister said.
This year’s theme addresses one of the most significant needs of our time. Yoga plays a vital role in enabling people to lead healthy, active, self-reliant, and mentally resilient lives as they age, he said.
Highlighting the growing international outreach of the movement, the minister said that in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), more than 210 Indian missions abroad will organise yoga events at nearly 2,500 locations across the world.
“This reflects how yoga has transcended its origins as India’s cultural heritage to become a shared global movement for health and well-being,” he said.
“Across the world, people are living longer than ever before. The real challenge, however, is to ensure that these added years are healthy, active, independent and meaningful.
“Yoga offers a time-tested and holistic pathway towards healthy ageing by strengthening physical health, promoting mental well-being and enhancing overall quality of life,” the minister said.
He also announced a major milestone achieved in the run-up to IDY 2026.
Referring to the special nationwide live yoga session organised on June 14, Jadhav stated that more than four lakh participants joined simultaneously, creating a new Guinness World Record.
He further said that the Ministry of Culture will organise special International Day of Yoga events at 100 locations across the country, bringing together India’s rich cultural heritage and yoga traditions.
He also highlighted the successful organisation of countdown events held over the past few months, including the 100-day countdown in Delhi, the 75-day event at Lonar in Maharashtra, the 50-day programme at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad and the 25-day countdown celebration at Khajuraho.
Jadhav also talked about the ongoing ‘Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra’ being organised from June 13 to 20.
Covering locations including Gangotri, Haridwar, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly and Gangasagar, the initiative seeks to connect yoga with environmental stewardship, river culture and community participation.
The minister said that Kolkata will host a series of special programmes ahead of the main event. On June 19, the city will witness the ‘Doud se Dhyan’ programme promoting the link between physical fitness and mental wellness.
On June 20, celebrations including ‘Vande Yogam’ and West Bengal Day observances will showcase the harmonious blend of yoga, patriotism and cultural heritage.
