Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday led the 11th International Day of Yoga event in Visakhapatnam, joining participants in a yoga session and addressing the gathering.
He said this year marked the eleventh time countries across the world had come together on June 21 for a collective yoga practice. Modi described yoga’s journey since India’s proposal at the United Nations as a global movement, recalling the backing of 175 countries for the resolution. He said the support reflected more than diplomacy, citing it as a shared step for global good.
The Prime Minister pointed to growing participation from marginalised groups, noting that persons with disabilities were accessing yogic literature in Braille and that scientists had practiced yoga in space. He also referred to student participation in Yoga Olympiads from rural areas.
He said yoga had become a global message of inclusiveness, visible on landmarks from the Sydney Opera House to Mount Everest. Modi said yoga cut across age, background, and ability.
Describing Visakhapatnam as a blend of nature and progress, he commended the local organisation of the event. Modi also congratulated Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and praised TDP leader Nara Lokesh for his work on the Yogandhra Abhiyan, calling it a social celebration of yoga. He said Lokesh had shown commitment over the past several weeks.
Modi said over two crore people had participated in Yogandhra Abhiyan activities. He described such public mobilisation as the core of a developed India and credited citizen engagement for the event’s success.
He said India was working to scientifically validate yoga through research. Modi cited studies from AIIMS, New Delhi, pointing to its impact on cardiac, neurological, and women’s health as well as mental well-being. He said institutions across India were contributing under the National Ayush Mission, with support from digital tools like the Yoga Portal and YogAndhra Portal.
He noted that over one million events had been registered through these platforms, showing the widespread engagement with yoga across the country.
Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer, CM Chandrababu Naidu, Union Ministers Rammohan Naidu, Prataprao Jadhav, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and Srinivasa Varma were present.
Yoga unites the world!
Glad to see immense enthusiasm all across the planet for International Day of Yoga.
I took part in a Yoga Day programme in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. People from all walks of life also joined. Here are some glimpses… pic.twitter.com/OcZq0QFrRj
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2025
