Yoga Day: From Indian Roots to Global Phenomenon
Since its inception in 2015, International Yoga Day has grown into one of the most celebrated wellness events worldwide. Proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, the resolution received overwhelming support from 177 nations—marking June 21 as a global day dedicated to the ancient Indian discipline.
Yoga, once practiced mainly in ashrams and homes in India, is now celebrated in nearly every country—from Times Square to Tokyo, from Cape Town to Copenhagen. Each year, the observance gains traction, with grander participation, more diverse venues, and expanded global reach. This year’s theme, “One Earth, One Health,” encapsulates yoga’s growing role not just in personal well-being, but as a catalyst for global unity and peace.
Siachen to Visakhapatnam: A Nation Moves in Unity
The 11th International Yoga Day in 2025 was a powerful display of national unity and discipline. It saw mass participation across India, from the icy frontlines of Siachen to the sunlit shores of Visakhapatnam. Indian Army soldiers, ex-servicemen, families, and civilians together rolled out their mats and performed asanas in locations as diverse as the glacial heights of Ladakh and the maritime zones of Tamil Nadu.
In Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, soldiers practiced yoga under extreme weather conditions—sending a message that wellness knows no boundaries. The Indian Army stated via social media, “From Siachen to every season and region of the country, we have adopted yoga not just as a practice, but as a way of life.”
Military Frontlines Embrace Mindfulness
The Indian Armed Forces turned out in full strength for Yoga Day. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh participated in a session with 2,500 soldiers in Udhampur, praising yoga as not only a health regimen but a strategic tool that enhances mental clarity, resilience, and combat readiness. He referenced its role in boosting morale during critical operations like Operation Sindoor.
Meanwhile, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) performed yoga at altitudes exceeding 14,000 feet near Pangong Lake. The 4th Corps of ITBP added a dimension of civic duty by combining yoga with a cleanliness drive in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dirang region. On the eastern front, Indian Coast Guard units conducted synchronized yoga sessions from Visakhapatnam to Tamil Nadu’s coast, including on ships like the Coast Guard Ship ‘Rani Abbakka’.
In the conflict-sensitive border villages of Poonch, the Balanoi Battalion celebrated the day with local residents, furthering the Army’s community outreach. Villagers from Balanoi, Dad Sagara, and Mankot gathered in large numbers, calling it the biggest event since Operation Sindoor. Locals appreciated the Army’s efforts in connecting remote communities through wellness and cultural harmony.
Leaders Led by Example: PM Modi and President Murmu Join Celebrations
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led one of the largest public yoga gatherings globally on a 26-kilometre stretch of beach in Visakhapatnam, turning the coastline into a living canvas of wellness. Accompanied by AYUSH Minister Prataprao Jadhav and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, Modi emphasized that yoga should be viewed not just as a personal pursuit but as a medium of global solidarity.
“I appeal to all nations to embrace yoga as a force for humanity, not merely as a cultural tradition,” he said. His call reinforced yoga’s role as a unifier of mind, body, soul—and society.
President Droupadi Murmu, too, led a session in Dehradun, emphasizing yoga’s unifying force. “Yoga connects individual to individual, community to community, and nation to nation,” she said, reiterating the day’s theme of ‘One Earth, One Health’.
Yoga as a Bridge to a Healthier and Harmonious World
What began as an ancient Indian philosophy has now blossomed into a global celebration of wellness, unity, and peace. The 11th International Yoga Day wasn’t just about flexibility of the body—it showcased India’s soft power, strategic foresight, and cultural leadership.
From icy glaciers to coastal decks, from military camps to rural villages, yoga is stitching together a collective consciousness—where health isn’t just individual, but planetary. As soldiers stood tall in Siachen, as villagers bent forward in Poonch, as global leaders stretched under open skies, one thing became clear: Yoga is no longer just a practice. It’s a shared language of resilience, harmony, and hope.
And with each passing year, India’s message to the world becomes louder and clearer—true strength lies in balance, breath, and unity.
(With agency inputs)
