Leading International Yoga Day celebrations from Visakhapatnam on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Yoga offers a “direction of peace” to a world gripped by tension and instability.
“In times when unrest is growing across the globe, Yoga is the pause button humanity needs to breathe, to balance, and to feel whole again,” the PM said, addressing thousands gathered for the event.
Describing Yoga as a bridge toward unity, the prime minister said, “Whether on the steps of the Opera House, the peak of Everest, or the open sea, Yoga transcends boundaries of background and ability. It’s for everyone.”
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Reflecting on India’s initiative to have June 21 recognised as International Yoga Day, Modi recalled that 175 countries had quickly supported the UN resolution. “Such global unity in today’s times is remarkable,” he said.
The PM called for “Yoga for Humanity 2.0” — a renewed movement where inner peace influences global action.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, also present, credited PM Modi for turning Yoga into a global wellness movement. He noted that this year’s celebrations spanned more than 175 countries, with over 10 crore participants across 12 lakh locations.
The Visakhapatnam event is being held along a 26-km stretch designed to accommodate over 3 lakh yoga practitioners. This year’s International Yoga Day theme is ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.
The International Day of Yoga was declared by the United Nations in 2014, following PM Modi’s proposal during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Since then, June 21 has been celebrated annually worldwide.
