Prime Minister Modi led the celebration on the 12th International Yoga Day from Kolkata’s Red Road area today (21st June). He performed yoga along with 35,000 participants who joined him for the Common Yoga Protocol session.
#WATCH | Prime Minister @narendramodi performs yoga on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga in Kolkata, West Bengal. @moayush @MIB_India @PIB_India#InternationalYogaDay2026 #YogaForHealthyAgeing #IDY2026 #Yoga #YogaDay2026 pic.twitter.com/EVXgMQHeDT
— DD News (@DDNewslive) June 21, 2026
He also guided participants and corrected their postures as they performed yoga. The theme for this year’s International Yoga Day is ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’.
#WATCH | Prime Minister @narendramodi observes participants as they perform Yoga on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga in Kolkata. @moayush @MIB_India @PIB_India#InternationalYogaDay2026 #YogaForHealthyAgeing #IDY2026 #Yoga #YogaDay2026 pic.twitter.com/0q9F44NGEO
— DD News (@DDNewslive) June 21, 2026
Prime Minister Modi addressed the participants and underscored the significance of yoga not just for individuals but for the entire world. “Yoga is not only essential for our personal lifestyle today. Yoga is also a necessity for a better future for the world…We will not limit yoga to just one day, we will not limit yoga to just one program, we will make yoga a part of our lives,” the Prime Minister said.
#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal | Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, "Yoga is not only essential for our personal lifestyle today. Yoga is also a necessity for a better future for the world…We will not limit yoga to just one day, we will not limit yoga to just one program, we… pic.twitter.com/xLfwLd8Zyv
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2026
As he was leading the celebrations in West Bengal, PM Modi remembered the saints and yogis, such as Lord Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Swami Vivekananda, Maharishi Arvind, Lahiri Mahasaya and Rabindranath Tagore, who were born in the state, promoted the practice of yoga.
From physical wellness to inner peace, yoga enriches every aspect of life. Delighted to join this year’s celebrations in Kolkata. https://t.co/75UZECw8JR
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2026
“It is very special to be in Bengal today on the occasion of Yoga Day. This sacred land of Bengal, where accomplished saints like Lord Ramakrishna Paramhansa were incarnated, from where Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga to the entire world, where great yogis like Maharishi Arvind were born, where great yogis like Lahiri Mahasaya took the yoga tradition to new heights, today, the experience of collective yoga on this very land provides a unique spiritual experience,” PM Modi said.
Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, born on this very soil of Bengal, believed that human identity lies not in isolation, but in connection with the world around us. This connection is the essence of yoga. Maharishi Arvind also said, “Our entire life is yoga, whether we realise it or not.” When yoga becomes natural, it becomes the basis of human unity,” he added.
The 12th International Yoga Day is being celebrated in various parts across the country, with Chief Ministers, ministers and several other political leaders taking part in the celebrations.
