Progress of National Highway Programmes reviewed by PM Modi
BBIN network between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India & Nepal to have profound impact on economy & region: PM
PM Modi calls for tree plantation along highway projects
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today reviewed the progress of the National Highway Programmes at a high-level meeting.
Reviewing the progress of highway construction in the North-East, the Prime Minister asked officials to ensure good connectivity between the new road projects, and nearby airports. He said the BBIN agreement for seamless movement of road traffic between India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, would not only have a profound impact on the economy of the region, but would also bring benefits from the environmental perspective, by reducing travel times.
He urged concerned officials to explore all possibilities of innovation in the materials and technology aspects of road construction. He directed priority to be given to high-quality port connectivity projects. He also called for aggressive tree plantation along all highway projects.
Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Nitin Gadkari were present on the occasion.
PM Modi addresses the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
June 21, 2025
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The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed the 11th International Day of Yoga (IYD) event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh today. The Prime Minister led the celebrations of International Yoga Day and took part in the Yoga session.
Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister extended warm greetings to people across India and the world on International Yoga Day, highlighting that this year marks the 11th occasion when the world has come together on 21st June to practice yoga collectively. He remarked that the essence of yoga is "to unite", and it is heartening to see how yoga has united the world. Reflecting on the journey of Yoga over the past decade, Shri Modi recalled the moment when India proposed the idea of International Yoga Day at the United Nations. He noted that 175 countries supported the proposal, a rare instance of such wide global unity. He emphasised that the support was not merely for a proposal but represented a collective effort by the world for the greater good of humanity. “Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe”, he added. The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing how Divyang individuals are reading yogic texts in Braille and how scientists are practicing yoga in space. He also noted enthusiastic participation of youth from rural areas in Yoga Olympiads. Shri Modi underscored that whether it is the steps of the Sydney Opera House, the summit of Mount Everest, or the vast expanse of the ocean, the message remains the same,“Yoga is for everyone and for all, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.”
Expressing satisfaction at being in Visakhapatnam, describing the city as a confluence of nature and progress, Shri Modi commended the people for their excellent organisation of the event and extended congratulations to Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Shri Pawan Kalyan for their leadership. The Prime Minister highlighted that under their leadership, Andhra Pradesh launched a remarkable initiative—Yogandhra Abhiyan. He also specially appreciated the efforts of Shri Nara Lokesh, stating that he has demonstrated how yoga can be a true social celebration and how every section of society can be included. Shri Modi remarked that in the past one to one-and-a-half months, Shri Lokesh has shown exemplary commitment through the Yogandhra Abhiyan and is deserving of praise for his efforts.
Noting that more than two crore people have joined the Yogandhra Abhiyan, reflecting a vibrant spirit of public participation, the Prime Minister emphasised that this very spirit forms the bedrock of a Viksit Bharat. He remarked that when citizens themselves take ownership of a mission and actively participate, no goal remains beyond reach. Shri Modi stated that the people’s goodwill and enthusiastic efforts were visible throughout the event in Visakhapatnam.
Underlining this year’s International Day of Yoga theme,“Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, the Prime Minister remarked that the theme reflects a profound truth: the health of every entity on Earth is interconnected. Human well-being, he stated, depends on the health of the soil that produces our food, the rivers that supply our water, the animals that share our ecosystems, and the plants that nourish us. Shri Modi highlighted that yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness and guides us on a journey toward oneness with the world. “Yoga teaches us we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. Initially, we learn to care for our own health and wellness, but gradually, this care expands to our environment, society, and the planet. Yoga is a profound personal discipline that, at the same time, serves as a collective system—one that transitions individuals from Me to We”, the Prime Minister stated.
“The spirit of “Me to We” encapsulates the very soul of India”, said Shri Modi, remarking that when an individual rises above self-interest and begins to think about society at large, the welfare of all humanity becomes possible. He referred to Indian culture, stating that it teaches us the value of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”—the welfare of all is one’s sacred duty and this journey from ‘Me’ to ‘We’ forms the foundation of service, dedication, and coexistence. The Prime Minister stated that it is this very thinking that fosters social harmony.
Expressing concern over the growing stress, unrest, and instability in various parts of the world, Shri Modi remarked that in such times, yoga offers a pathway to peace. “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs,to breathe, to balance, to become whole again”, he stated. The Prime Minister made a special appeal to the global community on the occasion of International Yoga Day, urging, “let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0, where Inner Peace becomes Global Policy”. He emphasised that yoga should not remain merely a personal practice but should evolve into a medium for global partnerships. He called upon every nation and every society to integrate yoga into their lifestyle and public policy. Shri Modi envisioned a collective effort to advance a peaceful, balanced, and sustainable world. “Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, and from stress to solutions”, he added.
Highlighting India’s efforts to strengthen the science of yoga through modern research to support its global dissemination, the Prime Minister noted that the country’s leading medical institutions are actively engaged in yoga research, aiming to establish its scientific relevance within contemporary medical practices. He underscored that India is promoting evidence-based therapy in the field of yoga through its medical and research institutions. Shri Modi praised the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, for its exemplary contribution in this direction. Citing AIIMS research findings, he stated that yoga has shown significant impact in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, as well as in improving women’s health and mental well-being.
Shri Modi noted that through the National Ayush Mission, the message of yoga and wellness is being actively advanced across the country. He remarked that digital technology has played a significant role in this effort. Over one million events have been registered nationwide through the Yoga Portal and YogAndhra Portal, indicating the remarkable expansion of yoga’s reach across the country. He stated that the scale of events taking place in every corner of India reflects yoga's growing influence.
Noting the rising global popularity of the “Heal in India” mantra, highlighting India’s emergence as a leading destination for healing, Shri Modi emphasised that yoga is playing a vital role in this development. He expressed satisfaction that a Common Yoga Protocol has been developed to standardise practice. Underlining the efforts of the Yoga Certification Board, which has trained more than 6.5 lakh volunteers, and recognised around 130 institutions, the Prime Minister also noted the inclusion of a 10-day yoga module in medical colleges as part of building a holistic wellness ecosystem. He informed that trained yoga teachers are being deployed across Ayushman Arogya Mandirs nationwide. To ensure the global community benefits from India’s wellness ecosystem, the Prime Minister announced the provision of special e-Ayush visas.
Drawing attention to the issue of obesity, calling it a growing global challenge, Shri Modi recalled his discussion on the topic in detail during the Mann Ki Baat programme and had launched a challenge to reduce oil consumption by 10 percent in daily diets. The Prime Minister reiterated his appeal to citizens across India and the world to join this initiative. Emphasising the need to spread awareness on how individuals can reduce oil consumption by at least 10 percent in their meals, Shri Modi stated that cutting down on oil, avoiding unhealthy diets, and practicing yoga are vital components of a healthy lifestyle.
Calling upon everyone to transform yoga into a jan andolan - a people’s movement, the Prime Minister envisioned a movement that would lead the world towards peace, health, and harmony. He urged that every individual begin their day with yoga to bring balance in life, and every society embrace yoga to be free of stress. The Prime Minister concluded by stating, “Yoga should serve as a thread that weaves humanity together, Yoga for One Earth, One Health should become a global resolution”.
The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Syed Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Cabinet Ministers Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Shri Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma were present among other dignitaries at the event.
Background
On the occasion of 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), Prime Minister lead the national celebration from Visakhapatnam. He participated in the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session at the beachfront of Visakhapatnam, alongside nearly 5 lakh participants, while leading the nation in a harmonious yoga demonstration. Yoga sangam events were held simultaneously at more than 3.5 lakh locations across India. This year, special contests such as Yoga with Family and youth-focused initiatives under Yoga Unplugged have been launched on platforms like MyGov and MyBharat, encouraging mass participation.
The theme for this year, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” highlights the interconnectedness of human and planetary health and echoes the global vision of collective wellness, rooted in India’s philosophy of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease). Since its inception in 2015, when the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted India’s proposal to observe 21st June as IDY, Prime Minister has led the celebrations from various locations including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York (UN Headquarters), and Srinagar. IDY has since evolved into a powerful global health movement.
Progress of National Highway Programmes reviewed by PM Modi
