The 11th edition of the International Day of Yoga was observed with great fervour across the country on Friday, with political leaders and citizens participating in large numbers to celebrate India’s ancient wellness tradition. From the banks of the Brahmaputra to the hills of Jammu and Kashmir, the day witnessed yoga sessions in diverse settings, echoing the message of harmony and holistic well-being.
Extending his greetings to the people on the occasion, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma noted the growing interest in yoga among the masses. Speaking to reporters after participating in a yoga session in Baksa district, Sarma said, “Today, Yoga Day was celebrated in Assam. There was a lot of enthusiasm among the people. Everyone listened to PM Modi’s speech... I congratulate all on International Day of Yoga 2025.”
Later, in a social media post on X, the Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for turning yoga into a global movement. “Yoga calms our mind and rejuvenates our body. It is a practice we've inherited from our ancestors and are teaching to the world. As the #YogaDay marks 11 years, we thank Adarniya @narendramodi ji for making it a global movement,” he wrote.
In New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who took part in a yoga session at the Parliament House, echoed similar sentiments. “I extend my greetings on International Yoga Day. Today, Yoga has become the everyday routine of people worldwide,” he told reporters. “Yoga is the heritage of India, and the world has also recognised its scientific importance,” he added.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the celebrations from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir, where he joined army personnel for a yoga session. Praising the armed forces for their discipline and service, Singh also acknowledged the success of Operation Sindoor. “Your bravery is widely admired across the nation. I salute the valour and courage of the Indian Army,” he said while addressing the gathering.
At the national level, Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the occasion from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where he led the main event and urged the global community to view yoga as more than a physical or spiritual practice.
“I would like to take this opportunity to urge the global community on this important occasion to let this International Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity. Let this be the day when inner peace becomes a global policy, where yoga is embraced not just as a personal practice, but as a powerful tool for global partnership and unity. Let every country and every society make yoga a shared responsibility, a common contribution toward collective well-being,” the Prime Minister said in his address.
Since its formal recognition by the United Nations in 2014, International Yoga Day has evolved into a worldwide movement, uniting people across cultures, geographies and ideologies in the pursuit of health and mindfulness. This year too, millions around the world rolled out their mats to mark the day with a spirit of unity and well-being.
Also Read: International Yoga Day: PM Modi Calls for Yoga to Unite Humanity
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