Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Leads Nationwide International Day of Yoga Celebrations from Kolkata

PM Narendra Modi Leads International Day of Yoga 2026 Celebrations from Kolkata

New Delhi, June 21: Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the nationwide celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata, with people across India participating under the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’. In the national capital, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, along with actor Akshay Kumar, led the celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium where nearly 3,000 participants gathered for a mass yoga session organised by the Fit India Movement.

Simultaneously, yoga sessions were conducted at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres and Khelo India institutions across the country, drawing participation from lakhs of citizens. Yoga and fitness must become part of everyday life if India is to realise its vision of becoming a developed nation, Dr. Mandaviya said, highlighting the role of the Fit India Movement in promoting preventive healthcare and behavioural change.

During interactions, Dr. Mandaviya emphasised adopting practices such as yoga and cycling for daily health, while Akshay Kumar encouraged citizens to make fitness a regular habit for physical and mental well-being.

Programme Highlights

The programme featured cultural performances, live-streaming of the Prime Minister’s address and a Common Yoga Protocol session led by wellness expert Anshuka Parwani, who was felicitated as a Fit India Icon. Akshay Kumar was also honoured as a Fit India Icon for promoting fitness, while athletes excelling at the World Yogasana Sport Championship in Ahmedabad were recognised as Fit India Champions.

The event was attended by senior officials including Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao and Secretary (Youth Affairs) Pallavi Jain Govil. Post the formal session, participants engaged in yoga activities, counselling sessions and a Mallakhamb demonstration, reflecting India’s traditional fitness practices. The nationwide celebrations highlighted the growing synergy between initiatives like Fit India, MY Bharat and Yogasana Bharat in promoting healthier lifestyles.