Kolkata, 21 June (H.S.):

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led India's 12th International Yoga Day celebrations from Kolkata's iconic Red Road on Sunday, urging people to make yoga an integral part of their daily lives and describing it as a pathway to healthier ageing, mental well-being and global harmony.

The nationwide observance was held under the theme Yoga for Healthy Ageing, with millions of people participating in yoga sessions across India and thousands of events organised worldwide. Indian diplomatic missions also hosted programmes in numerous countries, reflecting yoga's growing global acceptance.

Addressing a large gathering in Kolkata before participating in a mass yoga session, PM Modi said yoga is not merely a form of exercise but a holistic way of life that helps individuals maintain physical fitness, mental balance and emotional resilience throughout their lives.

He said the goal should be to remain healthier and more energetic with age, adding that yoga enables people to stay flexible, active and better protected against lifestyle-related diseases. According to the Prime Minister, regular practice encourages lifelong self-awareness and promotes both physical and mental well-being.

Highlighting this year's theme, PM Modi said healthy ageing should not be viewed as a concern only for senior citizens. Instead, he stressed that people of every age can benefit from adopting yoga as a lifelong habit.

The Prime Minister also appealed to citizens not to limit yoga to an annual celebration. He encouraged families to incorporate the practice into their daily routines and referred to the government's Yoga 365 initiative, aimed at promoting year-round participation through sustained programmes and awareness campaigns.

Paying tribute to West Bengal's spiritual heritage, PM Modi recalled the contributions of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Rabindranath Tagore and Sri Aurobindo, saying their teachings helped spread India's philosophical traditions and introduced yoga's deeper values to the world.

Describing yoga as a force that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries, he said the practice brings humanity together by promoting harmony, discipline and inner peace. He added that yoga has evolved into a global movement connecting millions of people through a shared commitment to healthier living.

International Yoga Day was also marked by large-scale events across several states, with governors, chief ministers, Union ministers, members of the armed forces, students and citizens participating in community yoga sessions. Special programmes were organised in locations ranging from high-altitude Himalayan regions to riverfronts, parks and public squares.

Celebrations extended beyond India as Indian missions organised yoga events across thousands of venues worldwide, reinforcing the country's efforts to promote yoga as a universal practice for health, wellness and peaceful coexistence.

The International Day of Yoga has been observed annually on June 21 since the United Nations adopted India's proposal in 2014, with the first global celebration taking place in 2015. This year's theme emphasised the role of yoga in enhancing quality of life by supporting healthy ageing, preventive healthcare and emotional well-being.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar