Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the grand 11th International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 from the scenic coastline of Visakhapatnam, calling yoga a global “pause button” for peace and balance in today’s turbulent world.
Addressing a sea of over 3 lakh yoga enthusiasts stretching from Ramakrishna Beach to Bhogapuram, the Prime Minister emphasized the unifying power of yoga that transcends borders, age, and backgrounds. Indian Navy ships stationed nearby added grandeur to the event.
“Today, the whole world is doing yoga together. Yoga is beyond boundaries; it connects humanity in health, harmony, and consciousness,” PM Modi said.
He recalled India’s proposal to the United Nations in 2014 to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day, which swiftly gained support from 175 countries—an unprecedented show of global unity.
Yoga: A Gift Beyond Age and Ability
Describing yoga as “a universal gift,” the Prime Minister urged nations worldwide to adopt yoga not merely as a personal practice but as a collective path to global harmony.
“Yoga is humanity’s pause button—a chance to breathe, balance, and become whole again in a restless world,” he added.
The event was graced by dignitaries including Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, highlights the role of yoga in fostering planetary and personal wellness.
