Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday led the 11th International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, highlighting yoga’s global rise as a movement for health, peace, and unity, with over five lakh participants joining the event held under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Around five lakh people reportedly participated in the mass yoga session that stretched 26 kilometers from Ramakrishna Beach to Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.
Modi was joined by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and State IT Minister Nara Lokesh at the RK Beach venue.
Addressing the massive crowd, Modi highlighted the widespread acceptance of yoga across the globe, calling it a force that unites people beyond cultural and geographical divides.
He recalled India’s 2014 proposal to the United Nations to designate June 21 as International Yoga Day — a resolution that quickly gained support from 175 nations, showcasing yoga’s universal appeal.
“Now, after 11 years, yoga has become a routine part of life for millions worldwide. It has surpassed borders and grown into a global movement that fosters well-being, peace, and harmony,” he said.
Modi noted yoga’s widespread practice — from the Sydney Opera House to the heights of Mount Everest and across oceans — as a strong symbol of its global impact.He stressed that yoga is inclusive, meant for everyone regardless of location, background, age, or physical condition.
“Yoga is more than just physical fitness — it’s a journey toward complete wellness, mental clarity, and inner strength. It is an ancient Indian tradition that continues to uplift and inspire the world,” he remarked.
The Prime Minister also commended the state government and Chief Minister for organizing the Yoga Day celebrations on such a remarkable scale.
With inputs from the HT
