Kolkata, Jun 18: Union Minister of State for AYUSH Prataprao Jadhav on Thursday said India is set to celebrate International Yoga Day 2026 on an unprecedented scale, with the main national event to be held at Kolkata’s Red Road on June 21, which will be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Addressing a preparatory programme here, Jadhav said this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, underscores the growing relevance of yoga in promoting physical well-being, mental stability and emotional balance amid changing lifestyles and an ageing population.
“This is not merely a formal event but the beginning of a national celebration of India’s knowledge tradition that has provided the world with a powerful path to balance, peace and holistic well-being,” he said.
The minister said yoga has evolved beyond being a part of India’s cultural heritage and has emerged as a global movement for health and wellness.
He noted that the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) is organising International Yoga Day events at around 1,300 locations worldwide, reflecting yoga’s growing global acceptance.
Jadhav said the AYUSH Ministry has launched the “Yoga 365” initiative to encourage people to make yoga a part of their daily lives throughout the year rather than limiting it to a single day of observance.
Highlighting the scale of participation, Jadhav said a special online yoga programme held on June 14 saw 4.35 lakh people practising yoga simultaneously, creating a new Guinness World Record.
He also said the Ministry of Culture is organising special yoga programmes at 100 prominent heritage and historical sites across the country.
The minister thanked the West Bengal government for its cooperation and preparations for the June 21 event, describing the state’s efforts as commendable.
“I am particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the people of West Bengal, which reflects their deep connection with yoga,” he said.
Jadhav said a “Gangotri to Gangasagar Ganga Tat Yog Yatra” is being organised from June 13 to June 20, connecting Gangotri, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly and Gangasagar, while promoting yoga, environmental awareness, river culture and public participation.
He said several outreach programmes have been held across West Bengal over the past fortnight, including yoga sessions focused on wellness, mental health, women’s health, senior citizens, healthcare institutions, educational institutions, police and fire service personnel.
A special “Run to Dhyan” programme will be organised at 11 locations across Kolkata on June 19, while a grand cultural yoga carnival will be held on the banks of the Hooghly river as part of “Vande Yoga West Bengal Day”, he said.
Among the highlights will be a mass yoga demonstration on 59 boats on the Hooghly river, showcasing Bengal’s cultural identity, Jadhav said.
He added that Kolkata will be illuminated with yoga-themed lighting installations, bridge illumination and a drone show involving around 3,000 drones, transforming the city into what he described as a “yoga capital” for the celebrations.
The minister urged citizens, institutions and organisations to actively participate in the programmes and register their events on the Yoga Sangam portal.
Jadhav also invited people to attend the main event at Red Road in central Kolkata on June 21.
He said arrangements at the venue would begin at 5 am and participants would have an opportunity to experience AYUSH-based dietary offerings.
He encouraged citizens across the country to join the Common Yoga Protocol programme virtually with Modi and share their participation on social media.
During the programme, special commemorative stamps marking International Yoga Day were also released.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari appealed to people to participate in large numbers in the Yoga Day programmes scheduled across Kolkata and the state over the next three days.
Adhikari said around 35,000 registrations had already been received for the Red Road event and expressed hope that lakhs of citizens would participate in these programmes.
He also highlighted a cultural programme on the Hooghly river on June 20 to mark West Bengal Day.
Adhikari said the state government, along with educational institutions, sports bodies, social organisations, various departments and the Kolkata Police, was working together to ensure the success of the event to be attended by the Prime Minister.
He said a cleanliness drive was being conducted from June 15 to June 20 as part of the preparations and expressed confidence that the Yoga Day celebrations would help West Bengal set new participation records.
Asked about making yoga mandatory in schools, Adhikari said, the government’s role is to create awareness and encourage participation rather than impose it.
“Time will speak for itself. What is important is creating an environment where people voluntarily adopt yoga. Once awareness grows, participation will follow naturally,” he said.
Jadhav also said that it should not be imposed mandatorily. It has already been incorporated into the CBSE school system, and efforts are being made to increase its appeal among the youth.
He noted that yoga has also evolved into a sport and expressed confidence that its growing recognition as a game would further enhance its popularity in the coming years.
