New Delhi, June 15 (IANS). Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the national celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2026 in Kolkata on Sunday. The Ministry of AYUSH on Monday formally launched the nationwide and global countdown for this annual event.
This announcement was made during the inaugural program of International Yoga Day 2026 held here.
Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said that the main national function will be organized under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi on the historic Red Road in Kolkata.
Additionally, the Minister unveiled the theme of this year’s International Yoga Day ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging’, highlighting the role of Yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being and quality of life.
Jadhav said, “People all over the world are living longer lives than ever before. The real challenge is to ensure that these additional years are healthy, active, independent and meaningful. Yoga represents a tried and true holistic path to healthy aging.”
Highlighting the global reach of the event, the Minister said that more than 210 Indian missions abroad, in coordination with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), will organize Yoga Day celebrations at around 2,500 locations across the world.
He said that since the adoption of India’s International Yoga Day resolution by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, yoga has grown as a global movement for health and well-being.
Jadhav said, “Today yoga has crossed borders, cultures and languages. It has emerged as a shared global movement that brings people together in the pursuit of health, harmony and well-being.”
Further, the Minister announced that more than four lakh people participated simultaneously in the nationwide live yoga session held on June 14, creating a new Guinness World Record.
As part of the celebrations, the Culture Ministry will organize special Yoga Day programs at 100 iconic locations across the country.
The AYUSH Ministry is also organizing ‘Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tatt Yoga Yatra’ from June 13 to 20, which links yoga with environmental awareness, river culture and community participation.
Ahead of the main event, several events will be organized in Kolkata, including ‘Daud Se Dhyan’ on June 19 and ‘Vande Yogam’ on June 20, which will showcase a mix of fitness, health, patriotism and cultural heritage.
Calling upon people to participate in large numbers, Jadhav said that yoga is one of India’s greatest contributions to humanity and urged people to adopt it as a daily practice for a healthy and happy life.
–IANS
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