Kolkata, 18 June (H.S.) : Kolkata is all set to host the national celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheduled to lead the Common Yoga Protocol session at the iconic Red Road. Ahead of the event, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush Prataprao Jadhav addressed a curtain-raiser press conference at Nabanna Sabhaghar on Thursday, outlining the scale, significance and preparations for the celebrations.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister and the Union Minister jointly released 12 special philatelic covers commemorating International Day of Yoga 2026 in the presence of Chief Postmaster General of West Bengal Circle Ashok Kumar.
Addressing the media, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described it as a proud moment for West Bengal to host the national Yoga Day celebrations. He said Kolkata, known for its rich cultural, spiritual and intellectual heritage, continues to uphold the values of wellness and collective well-being.
Highlighting Yoga as one of India’s greatest civilisational gifts to the world, the Chief Minister said the ancient practice transcends barriers and unites people in the pursuit of health, harmony and inner peace. Referring to this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” he noted that Yoga plays a vital role in promoting physical vitality, mental resilience and emotional balance.
Adhikari also lauded the Ministry of Ayush for transforming Yoga into a year-round people’s movement through initiatives such as Yoga 365, Yoga for Healthy Ageing, Yoga for Non-Communicable Diseases, the Yoga Park Initiative and 100 Days of Free Online Yoga.
Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said International Day of Yoga has evolved into a global movement promoting health, harmony and collective well-being. He informed that Yoga Day celebrations this year will be organised at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide through the coordinated efforts of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Indian missions abroad. More than 210 Indian missions are expected to participate in the celebrations.
The Minister highlighted the success of the Ministry’s flagship Yoga 365 initiative, aimed at making Yoga an integral part of everyday life. He also noted that a nationwide live Yoga session organised on June 14 witnessed participation from over 4 lakh people simultaneously, creating a new Guinness World Record.
Jadhav further announced that the Ministry of Culture will organise special Yoga events at 100 iconic locations across India, linking Yoga with the country’s cultural heritage, tourism and civilisational identity. He thanked the West Bengal Government for its support in organising the national event and praised the enthusiastic response from people across the state.
As part of the nationwide countdown to Yoga Day, several outreach programmes have already been conducted, including a 100-day programme in New Delhi, a 75-day event at Lonar in Maharashtra, a 50-day celebration at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Hyderabad and a 25-day countdown programme at Khajuraho.
A major attraction this year is the “Gangotri to Gangasagar – Ganga Bank Yoga Journey,” connecting Gangotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly and Gangasagar. The initiative combines Yoga, environmental awareness, river culture and public participation.
The run-up to June 21 will feature a series of events across Kolkata and West Bengal, including Cycling for Wellness, Yoga programmes in schools and government offices, Yoga for mental well-being, women’s health, senior citizens, corporate employees, police personnel, fire services and healthcare workers.
A special programme titled “Daud Se Dhyan” will be organised across 11 locations in Kolkata on June 19. On June 20, Vande Yogam and West Bengal Foundation Day celebrations will be held along the Hooghly riverfront, featuring cultural performances, art competitions, photography contests and public engagement activities.
The celebrations will also include mass Yoga demonstrations on 500 boats on the Hooghly River, showcasing the connection between Yoga and Bengal’s rich river heritage. Kolkata will witness Yoga-themed illuminations, special lighting on major bridges and a mega drone show involving nearly 3,000 drones depicting India’s Yoga journey and paying tribute to eminent Yoga masters.
The Chief Minister and the Union Minister urged citizens, especially youth and senior citizens, to adopt Yoga as a daily practice for physical fitness, mental peace and overall well-being. They also encouraged people to actively participate in the celebrations and register their events on the Yoga Sangam portal.
The national celebration at Red Road will begin at 5 a.m. on June 21, with thousands expected to participate in person and millions more joining virtually from across India and around the world.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
