PM Modi brought forgotten, lost Yoga back to Bengal: Suvendu on 12th International Yoga Day
In an indirect reference to the previous Trinamool Congress government, Suvendu Adhikari said that yoga was not promoted adequately under the former regime.
Soon after the sun rose over this historic city, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, demonstrating India’s soft power, on Sunday kicked off the 12th International Day of Yoga (IYD) celebrations, highlighting the significant benefits of this meditative exercise for physical and mental well-being.
Dressed in traditional white Kurta-Pajama, Modi, who performed the ‘asanas’ among the crowd of Yoga practitioners at the iconic Red Road, said Yoga is not only an exercise to make the body flexible but a path for inner development.
Advertisement
More than 30000 people, including top politicians, bureaucrats, intellectuals and social and religious workers, joined the PM at the IYD, which the United Nations also now promotes as a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of practicing yoga.
Advertisement
আজ সকালে কলকাতার রেড রোডে একটি যোগ দিবসের এক ব্যতিক্রমী কর্মসূচি অনুষ্ঠিত হয়, যেখানে প্রত্যেকের জীবনে যোগাভ্যাসের গুরুত্ব সম্পর্কে একটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ বার্তা প্রদানের লক্ষ্যে সমাজের সমস্ত স্তরের মানুষ অংশগ্রহণ করেন।
এবারের, মূল ভাবনা ছিল ‘সুস্থ বার্ধক্যের জন্য যোগ’, যা ফিট এবং… pic.twitter.com/95FVBKAfhc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2026
On the dais at the Red Road, the PM was joined by West Bengal Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Prataprao Jadhav. The PM’s enthusiasm for Yoga was evident as he moved around the celebration venue, guiding many participants in performing different ‘asanas’ like a school teacher.
Also Read: President Droupadi Murmu attends International Yoga Day programme in MP’s Jabalpur
The mega event was preceded by a three-day citywide celebration in Kolkata which included the “Run for Yoga” marathon, boat-based wellness sessions, and the “Vande Yogam” cultural program along the Hooghly River.
Even as the PM launched the celebrations in Kolkata, top Central Ministers and BJP Chief Ministers anchored the IYD events in different parts of the country. Government officials say IYD was organised at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, including over 200 Indian missions abroad.
This year’s theme reflects the growing global focus on healthy ageing amid rising life expectancy and increasing concerns over non-communicable diseases and lifestyle-related health issues. The emphasis is shifting from merely extending lifespan to improving health span, quality of life, and overall well-being through preventive and holistic approaches such as yoga.
In his address to the participants, the PM noted that 21 June had evolved into one of the largest collective celebrations in the world, with people from different countries and cultures coming together through the practice of Yoga. He said Yoga has the unique power to connect people, societies and nations, and continues to strengthen the bonds of human unity.
The PM observed that holding the national celebration in West Bengal was particularly significant given the state’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage. Recalling the contributions of great spiritual leaders and thinkers associated with Bengal, including Swami Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and other luminaries who helped spread the message of Yoga to the world, he said the land has long nurtured traditions that emphasise the unity of mind, body and spirit. He added that the collective Yoga session in Kolkata reflected this enduring legacy.
Highlighting the theme of International Day of Yoga 2026, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” Modi said Yoga is not limited to physical exercise or any particular age group but is a comprehensive approach to life that promotes vitality, resilience and well-being at every stage of life.
CM Suvendu Adhikari said the event had generated unprecedented enthusiasm across the State, with people from all districts, from Darjeeling to Digha and Cooch Behar, participating in Yoga activities and celebrations. He noted that large numbers of citizens had joined the observance in Kolkata and across West Bengal, reflecting the growing acceptance of Yoga as a way of life.
Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav said that under the leadership of PM Modi, Yoga has evolved into a truly global movement for health and well-being.
Advertisement
