‘Yoga For One Earth, One Health’: India Celebrates 11th International Day Of Yoga With PM Modi In Visakhapatnam

International Day Of Yoga: The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) will be marked with nationwide grandeur on Saturday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the main event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, underscores India’s holistic vision of global well-being, reflecting the philosophy of ‘Sarve Santu Niramaya’ (May all be free from disease). It draws attention to the interdependence between human health and the planet’s well-being.

PM Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening, greeted by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Taking to X, the Andhra CM posted, “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!”

Leaders join the National display of wellness

The Ministry of AYUSH confirmed that the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) alongside more than 3 lakh participants in Visakhapatnam, as part of the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative, linked with over 10 lakh simultaneous locations nationwide.

The mass demonstration will take place from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and will likely see record-breaking national participation.

Union Minister of State (IC) Ayush, Health and Family Welfare Minister Prataprao Jadhav, and CM Naidu will join PM Modi in the expansive public display of yoga, showcasing India’s commitment to wellness.

More than 2 crore individuals will likely take part in yoga sessions across 1 lakh venues in the state alone.

The Andhra Pradesh government is also organising a Guinness World Record attempt.

To commemorate the occasion, the state, however, plans to distribute over 50 lakh yoga participation certificates, making this the 10th anniversary of IDY a defining moment in India’s health promotion efforts.

In a striking prelude to the main event, 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes at Andhra University in Visakhapatnam—an initiative that reflects yoga’s increasing reach among marginalised communities.

Capital city celebrations

In Delhi, 109 yoga events will be held, including a prominent gathering at the Red Fort.

Brahma Kumaris, in partnership with the Ministry of Ayush, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, and the Archaeological Survey of India, is organising the programme.

To widen the impact of yoga, PM Modi has addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting the global resonance of yoga and encouraging local-level activities. His message has sparked enthusiastic grassroots engagement, especially among Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centres.

This year also saw the launch of 10 Signature Events aimed at boosting public participation ahead of IDY 2025.

More than 11 lakh organisations and groups have already registered for the Yoga Sangam event via the Ministry of Ayush portal, surpassing the initial target of 1 lakh.

Rajasthan leads the registration tally with 2.25 lakh entries, followed by three other states that have also crossed the 1 lakh mark.

10 signature events

The Signature Events span diverse themes:

• ‘Yoga Sangam’ for mass demonstrations,
• ‘Yoga Bandhan’ for international partnerships,
• ‘Harit Yoga’ for promoting environmental stewardship,
• ‘Yoga Park’ to enhance public yoga spaces, and
• Yoga Samavesh’, an outreach for marginalised groups

Also included are:

• ‘Yoga Prabhava’, a decade-long impact study,
• ‘Yoga Connect’, a global online summit,
• ‘Yoga Unplugged’, youth-driven initiatives,
• ‘Yoga Maha Kumbh’, large-scale cultural gatherings, and
• ‘Samyoga’, which integrates traditional yoga with modern healthcare

These efforts are, however, part of a Whole-of-Government approach, with involvement from ministries, state administrations, local bodies, and Indian Missions abroad.

Preparatory programmes have been running for weeks, featuring yoga camps, special drives, and competitions by various government agencies.

Internationally, Indian Embassies and cultural centres have hosted yoga events, furthering India’s cultural diplomacy and its leadership in global wellness.

With its wide-scale participation and strategic vision, IDY 2025 is likely to be a milestone moment in India’s journey towards a healthier and more sustainable future—affirming yoga’s role as India’s enduring gift to the world.

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