he session was part of a massive state-wide push that stretched across 23,498 villages and brought over 32 lakh Self-Help Group members to the mat. Back in Kolkata, Prime Minister Modi was walking the Red Road, correcting postures.
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took part in yoga sessions in Guwahati on Sunday, June 21, as India marked the 12th International Day of Yoga. The two leaders joined millions of participants across the country for the annual observance, with the Guwahati event forming part of a large-scale state-level celebration organised in Assam.
The 12th International Day of Yoga was observed under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing.” The theme highlights the role of yoga in promoting active and healthy living at every stage of life. With populations ageing globally and non-communicable diseases on the rise, the focus has shifted from simply adding years to life toward improving quality of life, health span, and overall well-being.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the main national celebrations at Kolkata’s Red Road. During the Common Yoga Protocol session, Modi walked among participants and helped them correct their posture. Addressing the event, the Prime Minister said the theme should not be seen as relevant only to senior citizens.
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“When we speak of yoga for healthy ageing, it means that we can work to ensure that age doesn’t reduce human potential,” Modi said. He added that regular yoga practice should inspire people across all age groups to pursue lifelong wellness. “Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20, more energetic at 50 than we were at 30, and more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50,” he said.
Modi also stressed that yoga helps keep the body flexible, sustains energy levels, promotes a calm and stress-free life, and supports prevention of lifestyle diseases. He said regular practice encourages individuals to become lifelong learners of their own bodies and minds.
Beyond Guwahati and Kolkata, Union Minister Piyush Goyal took part in a yoga session in Mumbai on the occasion. The day saw wide participation from political leaders, public figures, and citizens across India.
The Guwahati event was part of a broader state-level initiative run by the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM), Panchayat and Rural Development Department, in collaboration with the Department of AYUSH, Government of Assam. The programme ran across the state with the active participation of Self-Help Group (SHG) members.
Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Atul Bora attended a separate yoga programme at Golaghat. Across Assam, yoga sessions were organised in 23,498 villages at 37,383 venues, with approximately 32.19 lakh SHG members expected to participate, making it one of the largest community-based yoga observances in the state.
The Department of AYUSH developed a Common Yoga Protocol consisting of basic asanas specifically for SHG members. Participants had been practising the protocol since June 1, 2026, ahead of the main event. AYUSH also provided capacity-building support, trained resource persons, and the necessary materials to enable large-scale yoga activities across Assam.
The initiative reflects ASRLM’s broader commitment to integrating health and wellness with its rural livelihoods work. The aim is to encourage SHG members to take up yoga as a regular practice and promote healthier communities in rural Assam.
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