Visakhapatnam, June 21, 2025 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, marking the annual global observance of yoga with the theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
The event, held at the coastal city’s iconic RK Beach, drew thousands of participants, including students, military personnel, healthcare professionals, and yoga enthusiasts from across India.
PM Modi: “Yoga is the Pause Button Humanity Needs”
In his keynote address, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the interconnectedness between individual well-being and planetary health, noting that yoga represents more than physical fitness — it is a spiritual and ecological philosophy rooted in India’s ancient heritage.
“Yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness, leads us on a journey towards oneness with the world, and teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but part of nature,” he said.
Calling for a new global movement, the Prime Minister stated:
“Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.0, where Inner Peace becomes Global Policy. Yoga is the pause button humanity needs… to breathe, to balance, to become whole again.”
Theme 2025: ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’
The 2025 IDY theme reflects a holistic view of global well-being, rooted in the Indian principle of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” – May all be free from disease. The theme underscores the interdependence between personal health and ecological balance, aligning with India’s broader push for sustainable development and preventive health care.
Modern Science Meets Ancient Wisdom
PM Modi highlighted the Indian government’s emphasis on scientific validation of yoga, citing research conducted by AIIMS Delhi.
“Its research has shown that yoga has a critical role in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, and it also plays an important role in women’s health and mental health,” Modi said.
He added that India is promoting evidence-based yoga therapy and integrating it with modern medicine, furthering its credibility on the global stage.
Reception and Participation
Prime Minister Modi was received in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Saturday’s main event featured a synchronized yoga session with live demonstrations across India and international missions participating virtually.
Thousands gathered on beaches, parks, and community centres around the world to participate in the global observance, with yoga sessions held in over 190 countries, highlighting its UN-backed recognition since 2015.
International Yoga Day: A Global Tradition
Since its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, International Yoga Day is celebrated every June 21, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and symbolic of light and awakening in many cultures.
This year’s event marks a decade of yoga diplomacy, cultural outreach, and increasing acceptance of India’s ancient wellness tradition as a modern-day tool for global health and harmony.
