International Yoga Day Live Updates: Yoga is pause button that humanity needs to breath, balance to become whole again, says PM Modi in Visakhapatnam

Time of India

4 hours ago

21 Jun 2025 | 08:05:06 AM IST
International Yoga Day Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on Saturday morning.
International Yoga Day News: More than 2 crore people across India participated in the International Day of Yoga this year, attending yoga sessions held at over 1 lakh locations. The national-level event took place in Visakhapatnam, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) alongside more than 3 lakh participants. These sessions were synchronised with over 10 lakh other locations under the Ministry of Ayush's 'Yoga Sangam' initiative.PM Modi: 'Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for humanity 2.0'Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said, 'Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for humanity 2.0 where inner peace becomes global policy.' He also added, 'Yoga is pause button that humanity needs to breathe, balance to become whole again. Yoga is great personal discipline, also a system that takes us from 'Me to We'.'The Prime Minister was accompanied by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.Naidu welcomed the Prime Minister's visit in a message on social media: 'On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I welcome Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to our state for the celebration of International Yoga Day tomorrow. All the districts of Andhra Pradesh are geared up to participate in the grand culmination of #Yogandhra!'Andhra Pradesh sees large-scale yoga participationOfficials reported that Andhra Pradesh hosted one of the biggest yoga demonstrations nationwide. More than 2 crore people took part in events across the state. A Guinness World Record attempt was also organised, and the state government will issue over 50 lakh yoga certificates to participants.A major highlight was a special event at Andhra University, where nearly 25,000 tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. The initiative underscored yoga's expanding reach at the community level.Delhi marks the day with events across 109 sitesIn the national capital, yoga sessions were held at 109 locations. A central event was organised at the Red Fort by Brahma Kumaris in partnership with the Ministry of Ayush, the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, and the Archaeological Survey of India.The events followed this year's theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' which highlights the connection between human well-being and planetary health. The message draws from the Indian principle of Sarve Santu Niramaya (May all be free from disease). Show more Indian Army personnel marked International Yoga Day by performing yoga across various high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including some of the most challenging terrains. At Shahi Kangri Lake, situated at an altitude of around 20,000 feet, soldiers carried out yoga exercises despite extreme weather and limited oxygen levels."Amidst the icy expanse of Shahi Kangri Lake at 20,000 feet, Indian Army marked the International Yoga Day 2025 with unwavering resolve and inner still. In a place where every breath is a challenge, soldiers embraced the timeless discipline of yoga — a source of strength, clarity, and resilience enhancing mental focus, emotional balance and physical endurance even in the harshest of conditions," posted Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army on X. On the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) held yoga sessions at high-altitude locations along the banks of Pangong Tso in Ladakh. Personnel from the 24th Battalion performed yoga at Border Outposts Dhan Singh Thapa and Chartse, situated at altitudes ranging from 14,100 to 14,200 feet.Visuals from the site showed ITBP officials practicing yoga by the lakeside in challenging terrain.Ahead of the main event, the 54th Battalion of ITBP had also conducted a yoga session on Friday as part of the build-up to the celebrations. Sharing photos from the event on X, the ITBP said, "54 Bn #ITBP organised a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day 2025. Himveers participated with zeal, reinforcing the spirit of wellness and discipline." Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for humanity 2.0 where inner peace becomes global policy: PM Modi
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After 11 years, Yoga has now become part of life of crores of people around world, says PM The Indian Navy will mark the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY 2025) on June 21 with sessions held aboard warships at sea, in harbours, and at naval stations across India and abroad. The celebrations will follow the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.' In the lead-up to the event, daily yoga sessions have been taking place since June 11 to promote both physical and mental well-being.Common Yoga Protocol sessions are being conducted at various sites including ships, beaches, parade grounds, aircraft hangars, and parks. Naval personnel, their families, defence civilians, and international trainees have been encouraged to actively take part in the activities. The Navy is also engaging in 'Yoga Maha Kumbh' events and making use of the Namaste Yoga mobile app and virtual sessions conducted by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga. To mark the International Day of Yoga, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in partnership with the Ministry of Ayush, will organise yoga sessions at 81 centrally protected monuments. As part of the celebrations, all ASI monuments will offer free entry to the public on that day. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday said it is proud to be part of the global observance of the International Day of Yoga 2025, which is celebrated every year on June 21.In a post shared on X, ISRO stated that it is participating under this year's official theme, 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' which emphasizes the connection between personal well-being and the health of the planet."Less than an hour away from International Day of Yoga 2025! ISRO is honoured to participate in the global observance on June 21 under the official theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', which highlights the vital link between individual wellness and planetary care," the agency posted. Hundreds gathered at a well-known square on the Strand in London to take part in yoga sessions featuring asanas and breathing practices led by experts, as part of the International Day of Yoga celebrations. The event was organised by the High Commission of India in the UK.Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami inaugurated the event on Friday evening, which marked the 10th anniversary of Yoga Day, by reading a message from King Charles III.In his message, the 76-year-old monarch, who has long shown interest in yoga, said the occasion promotes global values of unity, compassion, and well-being."The theme of this year's day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations," said the message from Buckingham Palace. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said that any terror strike on Indian soil in the future will have serious consequences for Pakistan, and warned that Operation Sindoor is still ongoing. He added that India is prepared to take further action to counter terrorism.Speaking to troops at the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur on International Yoga Day, Singh said that the military response under Operation Sindoor had sent a strong signal to Pakistan that its strategy of 'a thousand cuts' will not succeed."Operation Sindoor is not over yet... through this operation, we have told Pakistan that continuing terrorism against India will not be tolerated and the response will get from bad to worse," Singh said. He was accompanied by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.Operation Sindoor was launched by the Indian Armed Forces during the night of May 6 and 7. The operation targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. It was carried out in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.