In a strong reaffirmation of his philosophy of “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations for the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) from Kolkata’s historic Red Road on Sunday.
The main gathering in the “City of Joy” will commence in the early morning hours, with mass demonstrations of the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) featuring thousands of attendees, including top dignitaries and citizens.
The Centre’s decision to organise the main event in Kolkata is significant because it closely follows the BJP’s landslide victory in the West Bengal Assembly elections. Top Central ministers and BJP leaders have given clear indications that the state, where the saffron party dislodged the Trinamool Congress from power, will be the focus of attention for the Modi government in the coming months and years. “Funds will not come in a way of speedy development of the state which has been poorly managed over the years,” a senior BJP leader said.
One should also not lose sight of the significance of the Centre choosing Red Road as the venue for the main event. As one of the metropolis’s most happening public spaces, it symbolises civil gatherings, military history and ecological innovations. The organisers of IDY expect a record turnout at the event tomorrow.
Ahead of the 12th IDY, Kolkata witnessed enthusiastic participation in “Daud Se Dhyan 2026 – From Movement to Stillness,” a unique initiative organised under the Swachhata Se Swagat Programme, bringing together the core values of health, cleanliness, civic responsibility and overall well-being.
The mega event on Sunday with the theme ‘’Yoga for Healthy Ageing’’ is being organised by the Ministry of Ayush which has rolled out an extensive programme aimed at promoting yoga as a tool for overall well-being. Around 2,500 organised events are taking place worldwide, with participation across 211 Indian missions abroad.
The Ministry’s Yoga Sangam Portal has achieved a major milestone with organisational registrations touching the 600,000-mark, reflecting unprecedented enthusiasm among institutions and communities across the country.
The milestone highlights the massive scale of collective participation, with registered organisations set to mobilise participants at their respective locations to join the nationwide Yoga Sangam movement and practice yoga simultaneously with the PM.
According to Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” highlights the need to ensure that longer life expectancy translates into healthier, more active and meaningful lives.
“Across the world, people are living longer than ever before. The real challenge is to ensure that these added years are healthy, active, independent and meaningful. Yoga offers a time-tested and holistic pathway towards healthy ageing by strengthening physical health, promoting mental well-being and enhancing overall quality of life,” he said.
As part of the celebrations, the Ministry of Culture will organise yoga programmes at 100 iconic locations across the country. The initiative aims to bring together India’s cultural heritage and wellness traditions while encouraging wider public engagement. Kolkata has hosted a series of special events in the lead-up to the main event tomorrow.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal government has made participation in IDY celebrations mandatory for all government employees. They have been asked to participate at their respective offices, residential complexes, or designated venues such as Red Road and Milan Mela grounds.