News Desk
VISAKHAPATNAM, India — On June 21, the world paused to stretch, breathe, and align under the banner of the 11th International Yoga Day, a global event that has grown into a vibrant testament to the universal appeal of yoga, an ancient practice rooted in India’s cultural heritage. With the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” this year’s celebrations underscored the interconnectedness of personal well-being and planetary health, drawing millions across continents to participate in mass yoga sessions, workshops, and cultural exchanges. From the beaches of Visakhapatnam to the lawns of the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the day radiated a message of harmony, with India’s leadership in promoting yoga earning widespread praise in global media.
In Visakhapatnam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a flagship event, “Yoga Sangam,” where over 300,000 participants gathered along the scenic RK Beach, their synchronized movements creating a breathtaking spectacle against the backdrop of the Bay of Bengal. Modi, whose 2014 proposal to the United Nations General Assembly established June 21 as International Yoga Day, emphasized yoga’s transformative power. “In just 11 years, yoga has become a way of life for millions, from the Sydney Opera House to the peaks of Everest,” he said, highlighting its global reach. The event, part of India’s ambitious “Yoga Sangam” initiative, saw simultaneous sessions at over 100,000 locations nationwide, with an estimated two crore (20 million) participants, according to government figures.
India’s celebrations were marked by diversity and scale. In Andhra Pradesh, 22,000 tribal students performed 108 Surya Namaskars (sun salutations) on June 20, setting a Guinness World Record and showcasing yoga’s inclusivity. In New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla joined parliamentarians in a yoga session at the Parliament House complex, while Border Security Force personnel practiced asanas along the India-Pakistan border at Attari-Wagah. From the Yamuna River’s banks to the Taj Mahal’s terraces, Indians of all ages embraced yoga, reinforcing its role as a cultural and spiritual cornerstone.
Globally, International Yoga Day resonated with equal fervor. In New York, the United Nations Headquarters hosted a session organized by India’s Permanent Mission, drawing diplomats, UN staff, and local enthusiasts to the North Lawn. The event, themed around “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), highlighted yoga’s role in fostering mindfulness and sustainable lifestyles. In Japan, Ambassador Sibi George inaugurated a yoga event at the Osaka Expo 2025 venue, joined by thousands, including Osaka Prefecture Vice Governor Shigeki Watanabe, signaling Japan’s deep engagement with the practice.
In Nepal, a significant session took place at Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, organized by the Indian Embassy and the Lumbini Development Trust, symbolizing yoga’s alignment with peace and wellness.
Europe and the Middle East also embraced the day with enthusiasm. In Vienna, Austria, the Indian Embassy’s event, held in partnership with the City of Vienna, was featured on ORF’s morning show “Guten Morgen Österreich,” amplifying yoga’s appeal to a national audience.
In Saudi Arabia, students from International Indian Schools in Taif and Jubail participated in high-energy sessions, with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh noting yoga’s message of unity.
In London, India’s High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami led a vibrant session at The Strand, drawing a diverse crowd of yoga enthusiasts and members of the Indian diaspora.
Media coverage worldwide lauded India’s role in globalizing yoga, portraying the country as a beacon of cultural diplomacy and wellness advocacy. The Associated Press described India’s celebrations as a “stunning display of unity,” noting thousands practicing yoga in public parks and on beaches, with Prime Minister Modi’s vision credited for transforming yoga into a “global phenomenon.” WION, an Indian news outlet, emphasized India’s leadership, stating, “In the heart of it all stood PM Modi, spearheading India’s global yoga movement,” with over 300,000 participants in Visakhapatnam alone.
Sputnik India highlighted yoga as a tool of India’s “soft power,” noting that “from Delhi to Moscow, Yoga Day is India’s cultural showcase,” with over 190 countries participating.
CNN News18 quoted India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who addressed soldiers during a yoga session in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, “Yoga, once limited to Indian sages, is now practiced worldwide—from Times Square to the Eiffel Tower—showcasing India’s rising soft power.”
The Hindu, a leading Indian daily, provided live updates from Visakhapatnam, quoting Mr. Modi: “Yoga teaches us we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature.” The outlet also noted regional leaders, like Jharkhand’s Health Minister Irfan Ansari, who described yoga as “a lifestyle that fosters balance among heart, soul, and mind.”
The Times of India reported that over 1.1 million organizations registered for yoga events globally, with Rajasthan leading in India at 2.25 lakh registrations, reflecting the day’s grassroots momentum. International media also praised yoga’s health benefits, with studies cited in outlets like Hindustan Times affirming its role in reducing stress, improving flexibility, and enhancing mental clarity. The global press portrayed India’s efforts as a unifying force, with yoga bridging cultural divides and promoting a shared commitment to health.
Social media platforms, buzzed with positive sentiment. One user wrote, “The International Yoga Day is a global celebration of India’s ancient wisdom, uniting people from diverse backgrounds in a movement for health and harmony.” Another credited Modi, stating, “Thanks to PM Modi, yoga is now an international health movement, with 175 countries joining in.” The hashtag #IDY2025 trended globally, with users sharing images of yoga sessions from iconic locations, amplifying India’s cultural influence.
Beyond the events, International Yoga Day 2025 highlighted yoga’s evolving role in addressing modern challenges. The United Nations emphasized its alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, noting yoga’s potential to foster sustainable lifestyles. In India, the Ministry of AYUSH’s Common Yoga Protocol, a standardized sequence of asanas, has been adopted globally, ensuring accessibility for practitioners of all levels.
Corporate giants like Google and Apple, which offer on-site yoga classes, were cited as examples of yoga’s integration into workplace wellness, a trend attributed to IDY’s global influence.
As the sun set on June 21, International Yoga Day 2025 a world briefly united in a shared practice, with India at its heart. The celebrations, marked by record-breaking participation and universal acclaim, reaffirmed yoga’s power to transcend borders, cultures, and ideologies. “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” was not just a theme but a call to action, encouraging individuals to nurture their well-being and the planet’s. As Modi said in Visakhapatnam, “Yoga is for everyone.” —and the world, it seems, agrees.
