Prime Minister Modi leads nationwide wellness celebrations from historic Kolkata
Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed traditional fitness routines alongside thousands of eager participants at the historic Red Road in Kolkata to mark the twelfth International Day of Yoga on Sunday morning. This main national celebration emphasized global wellness and encouraged healthy lifestyle habits across all generations. Public grounds across West Bengal filled with citizens tracking the movements of political leaders.
Organisers chose 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing' as the official theme for this yearly edition. This specific choice emphasizes how regular physical practices can successfully counter non-communicable lifestyle diseases as global populations age. Citizens across various continents participated in matching outdoor exercise sessions to boost mental health and overall physical longevity.
Renowned sand animator Manas Kumar Sahoo joined the national event by creating a stunning sculpture at his Puri beach studio in Odisha. Completed in just thirty minutes, the intricate artwork depicted the Prime Minister practicing poses to inspire ordinary people. This local artistic display highlights how deeply coastal communities celebrate regional connections to ancient wellness heritages.
United Nations delegates formally recognized this annual event in 2014 after an official proposal by India received overwhelming backing from 175 member nations. What began as an ancient spiritual practice has successfully transformed into a modern worldwide health movement. Choosing Kolkata for the main national stage demonstrates a deliberate effort to expand health awareness across eastern states while honouring the historic roots of Indian physical culture.
