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PM Modi leads the national observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Red Road in Kolkata, West Bengal

Published By : Admin | June 21, 2026 | 06:30 IST
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Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi led the national observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Red Road in Kolkata today. Shri Modi participated in the Common Yoga Protocol session along with thousands of Yoga practitioners. Extending his greetings to people across the world on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, Shri Modi observed that June 21 is marked by the longest day of the year in several parts of the world and has also emerged as one of the largest collective celebrations of humanity through yoga.

Addressing the gathering in Kolkata, the Prime Minister said that inspiring images of yoga were being witnessed from different parts of the world. “From the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, and from Bengal and the Northeast to the western region of Saurashtra, the entire nation appeared energized by the spirit of yoga. The country and the world seemed connected through a shared commitment to wellness and harmony, reflecting the unifying power of yoga”, remarked Shri Modi.

The Prime Minister also praised the people of Kolkata for their efforts under the “Swachhta Se Swagat” initiative. He said that the dedication, hard work and civic responsibility demonstrated by the citizens in maintaining cleanliness had become an inspiration for people across the country.

Shri Modi stated that celebrating Yoga Day in West Bengal carried special significance because of the state's rich spiritual and cultural heritage. He recalled that Bengal is the land where Bhagwan Ramakrishna Paramahansa lived and taught, from where Swami Vivekananda introduced India's spiritual wisdom and yoga traditions to the world, and where Maharshi Aurobindo and Lahiri Mahasaya contributed immensely to the advancement of yogic thought and practice. Referring to the teachings of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Prime Minister said that true human identity is shaped through meaningful connections with the world around us, a principle that lies at the heart of yoga. He also cited Maharshi Aurobindo’s belief that the whole of life is yoga, observing that when yoga becomes part of one's nature, it strengthens the foundation of human unity. “Yoga is not merely a form of physical exercise and cannot be confined to any particular age group. It is a source of consciousness, vitality and inner illumination that enriches every stage of human life”, Shri Modi emphasised. Referring to this year’s International Day of Yoga theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, he said that yoga offers a pathway to remaining healthy, active and energetic even as one grows older.

The Prime Minister stated that healthy ageing means ensuring that advancing years do not diminish human potential. He said that yoga encourages continuous growth and self-improvement throughout life. He expressed the aspiration that individuals should strive to be more flexible at forty than they were at twenty, more energetic at fifty than they were at thirty, and more resilient to lifestyle-related diseases at seventy than they were at fifty. He noted that yoga helps improve flexibility, sustain energy levels, reduce stress and promote mental well-being while also helping prevent lifestyle disorders. “Regular practice of yoga transforms individuals into lifelong learners of their own bodies and minds. He said that greater self-awareness leads to better self-management and a healthier way of life”, Shri Modi observed.

The Prime Minister remarked that the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing” is not limited to the elderly but is relevant for people of all ages, making yoga a lifelong companion in the pursuit of health, well-being and personal growth.

Referring to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Modi stated, “Balanced food habits, balanced recreation, balanced actions, and balanced sleep and wakefulness enable yoga to become a means of overcoming suffering”. He observed that balance is the very foundation of yoga and is equally essential for a fulfilling life. Yoga teaches the art of living in a balanced manner. It guides individuals on what should be done and what should be avoided, helping them develop a healthier lifestyle.

The Prime Minister emphasized that yoga is not confined to physical well-being alone. Rather, it provides a pathway from mental wellness to physical wellness. Referring to the expression “Yukta Chestasya Karmasu,” he said that yoga helps individuals develop the wisdom to distinguish between what is right and what is not. “Such awareness becomes a source of inner peace and also creates pathways towards global harmony. Yoga is no longer relevant only as a personal lifestyle practice; it has become a necessity for building a better future for the world”, Shri Modi noted.

Shri Modi stated that while millions of people participate in yoga activities every year on the occasion of the International Day of Yoga, the day also provides an opportunity to renew a collective commitment towards making yoga an integral part of everyday life. He called upon people to ensure that yoga is not restricted to a single day or a single event, but becomes a permanent part of their lives, their families, and the lives of future generations.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the progress made under the “Yoga 365” initiative this year. “A 100-day online yoga programme was organized under the initiative and witnessed unprecedented public participation. More than three million people from 130 countries participated in the programme, reflecting the growing global acceptance and popularity of yoga”, Shri Modi remarked.

Concluding his address, Shri Modi said that a healthy society lays the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous, and more confident nation. Expressing his wishes for the well-being of all, he invoked the ancient prayer, “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” (May all be happy, may all be free from illness).

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Honorable Governor of West Bengal Shri R. N. Ravi ji, energetic Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ji, Chief of Naval Staff Krishna Swaminathan ji, distinguished ladies and gentlemen present here!

Today is special in many ways. The whole world is celebrating International Yoga Day. I am pleased that on this occasion I have had the opportunity to come to this great land of Bengal. This is the land that gave new direction to India’s ideas, that accelerated India’s renaissance, and that for centuries connected India to the world through the sea. Today, on this very soil, an important program linked to Atmanirbhar Bharat, Surakshit Bharat, and Viksit Bharat is taking place. Just a short while ago, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have been inducted into the Indian Navy. Incidentally, June 21 is also celebrated as “World Hydrography Day.” And it is a remarkable coincidence that on this very day, India’s most advanced hydrography ship, INS Sanshodhak, has been commissioned. I extend my warm congratulations and best wishes to the Indian Navy, to all the scientists, engineers, workers associated with these projects, and to my beloved countrymen.

Friends,

The world bears witness that no nation can become a great power without maritime capability. Development is linked to the seas, security is linked to the seas, prosperity is linked to the seas. Today, most of the world’s trade flows through maritime routes. The vast networks of data that connect the world pass beneath the oceans. In the coming times, critical minerals, deep-sea resources, and new sources of energy will also be connected to the seas. Therefore, the stronger a nation’s maritime strength, the stronger its economic and strategic influence. India understands this reality well. India is preparing itself for it. And today is proof of what our capability is, what our skill is.

Friends,

A few years ago, when we dedicated INS Vikrant to the nation, India announced a new chapter of its maritime strength. It was a declaration of our capability before the world. The journey from INS Vikrant to today is not just about new warships. It is also the journey of India’s growing self-reliance. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak are giving new momentum to that journey. These three ships are symbols of three important resolves of India. They have been built in India. Their designs were prepared in India. Their construction involved the talent of Indian industries, the skill of Indian engineers, and the hard work of Indian workers. And this is the greatest strength of New India.

Friends,

Today, India does not want to remain merely a buyer in the defense sector. Our military strength cannot be reduced to a marketplace for the world. The identity of our strength lies not in being a market, but in our self-reliance. India wants to be a manufacturer. And the day we become manufacturers, we will also become decisive. We are moving rapidly in this direction. In recent years, more than 40 Made in India warships and submarines have been inducted into the Navy. This means that almost every few weeks, the Indian Navy has gained new strength. Even now, 45 major naval platforms are under construction. This is not just a number. It is proof of India’s industrial capability. It is a signal of India’s future.

Friends,

In the coming years, India’s maritime sector has the capacity to generate millions of new jobs. That is why we do not see the maritime sector as an isolated sector. We see it as the employment engine of a developed India. A modern ship requires hundreds of tons of steel, electronics, machinery, and thousands of components. Behind all this, thousands of companies work - which means thousands of youth get employment. In the construction of the three ships commissioned today, more than 200 MSMEs have contributed. We can imagine the vast number of jobs created in these 200 MSMEs, in these small industries.

Friends,

The time has come for India to enter the next phase of maritime power. Therefore, India has begun to move forward with a new vision for the shipbuilding sector. In recent years, numerous policy reforms have been undertaken. Special measures have been taken to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity. Shipbuilding, ship repair, ship recycling, and MRO are now being seen as part of a major national mission.

Friends,

The incentive package of ₹70,000 crore announced for the shipping sector is not merely an economic decision. It is an investment in India’s maritime future. It is an investment in India’s industrial expansion.

Friends,

Today, India is strengthening its entire maritime ecosystem. That is why India is modernizing its ports, creating new capacity, building new connectivity, expanding river waterways, and developing a multi-modal logistics network. Campaigns like Sagarmala are part of this comprehensive vision. This is reducing the cost of trade, giving new momentum to industries, and creating new opportunities in coastal regions.

Friends,

There was a time when India was known as one of the world’s largest defense importers. This dependence posed both strategic and security challenges. After the government was formed in 2014, we resolved to change this situation. Major policy reforms were carried out, and self-reliance in the defense sector was prioritized. As a result, today new possibilities have emerged in defense design, manufacturing, and exports. Until 2014, the country’s total defense production was around ₹40,000 crore. Today, it has increased to nearly ₹1,80,000 crore.

And friends,

On one hand, defense production in the country has grown rapidly, and on the other hand, our defense exports have increased at an unprecedented pace. Until 2014, India exported defense products worth about ₹700 crore. Today, this figure has risen to nearly ₹40,000 crore. Defense equipment made in India is now reaching more than 80 countries around the world.

Friends,

In the journey of self-reliance, much remains to be done. In my view, this is only the beginning. But the progress achieved in 12 years shows that when policies are clear, when direction is right, and when we work together, such a massive transformation can take place in the country.

Friends,

When we talk about maritime heritage, the name of Bengal naturally comes to mind. This land has also been significant in India’s maritime connections. The currents of the Hooghly have witnessed history being reshaped, new chapters of trade being written, and new journeys of development unfolding. And see the coincidence - this port is named after Bengal’s son, the country’s first Industry Minister, Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee.

Friends,

In the new maritime era that India is moving towards, the role of West Bengal will be very important. Here, there is port capacity, industrial capacity, talent, skill, and the ability to take the maritime economy to new heights. I am confident that in the coming years, West Bengal will become a vital center for India’s Blue Economy, maritime manufacturing, logistics, and coastal development.

Friends,

India has always regarded the sea as a medium of cooperation. But India also knows that strength is equally necessary to safeguard peace. Security is essential to protect prosperity. And self-reliance is indispensable for building the future. Today, INS Agray, INS Dunagiri, and INS Sanshodhak have joined the Indian Navy as symbols of this very spirit. They represent the India that is recognizing its strength in the 21st century, trusting its own capabilities, and moving forward before the world with new confidence, with speed, energy, and determination.

Friends,

On this auspicious occasion, I extend my best wishes to all my companions in the Navy, to all my fellow citizens. Once again, I heartily congratulate the Indian Navy, all scientists, engineers, workers, and the people of the nation. Thank you.