The Impressive TimesTIT Correspondent
info@impressivetimes.com
Visakhapatnam, June 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations of the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, addressing a massive gathering and participating in a Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) session alongside nearly five lakh people. The event was held at the picturesque Visakhapatnam beachfront, highlighting this year’s theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, a concept that underscores the deep interconnection between human well‑being and the planet.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi extended warm greetings to people across India and the world. He spoke about the global embrace of yoga over the past decade and recalled the moment when India proposed International Yoga Day at the United Nations, gaining support from 175 nations. “Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe,” said PM Modi, highlighting its role in promoting wellness for people of all abilities and walks of life.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in seeing Divyang individuals read yoga texts in Braille and scientists practice yoga in space, and he lauded rural youth participating in Yoga Olympiads. He remarked, “Yoga is for everyone and for all, beyond boundaries, beyond background, beyond age or ability.”
He commended Andhra Pradesh for its initiative, Yogandhra Abhiyan, which witnessed the active participation of over two crore people, making it a shining example of collective action and a foundation for a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India). PM Modi congratulated Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh for making yoga a social celebration embraced by every section of society.
PM Modi also spoke about the global significance of this year’s theme, highlighting the interconnection between human, animal, and planetary health. “Yoga reminds us that we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. The shift from ‘Me’ to ‘We’ forms the foundation of service and coexistence,” he stated, calling for a global “Yoga for Humanity 2.0” campaign.
Expressing concern over rising global tensions and stress, the Prime Minister said, “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs, a pathway to peace. Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of global policies rooted in inner peace.” He urged nations to adopt yoga as a unifying force to overcome conflict and build cooperation.
He also announced measures to deepen yoga’s global reach, highlighting advances in evidence‑based research conducted by AIIMS and other institutions. He stated that digital platforms like the Yoga Portal have registered over one million events nationwide, making yoga more accessible than ever. The introduction of special e‑Ayush visas was announced to invite international seekers to benefit from India’s wellness heritage.
PM Modi concluded by calling upon every citizen to adopt yoga as a daily practice and make it a jan andolan — a people’s movement — fostering a world that embraces peace, health, and harmony.
The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Jadhav Prataprao Ganpatrao, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma.
With celebrations spanning more than 3.5 lakh locations across the nation, the 11th International Day of Yoga reaffirmed yoga’s role as a beacon of unity and holistic well‑being across borders and generations.
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