Vizag, June 21: As the golden dawn broke over the spellbinding coastline of Visakhapatnam and the waves of the Bay of Bengal whispered in rhythm, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, led the nation and yoga enthusiasts across the world in celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga. Addressing the world’s largest-ever yoga gathering, now etched in the Guinness Book of World Records, the Prime Minister joined thousands of participants from India and abroad for a historic yoga session by the sea.
Extending warm greetings to people across India and the world on International Day of Yoga, the Prime Minister highlighted that this year marks the 11th occasion when the world has come together on 21st June to practice yoga collectively. He remarked that the essence of yoga is “to unite”, and it is heartening to see how yoga has united the world.
Reflecting on the journey of Yoga over the past decade, Modi recalled the moment when India proposed the idea of International Yoga Day at the United Nations. He noted that 175 countries supported the proposal, a rare instance of such wide global unity. He emphasised that the support was not merely for a proposal but represented a collective effort by the world for the greater good of humanity. “Eleven years on, yoga has become an integral part of the lifestyle of millions across the globe”, he added.
Expressing satisfaction at being in Visakhapatnam, describing the city as a confluence of nature and progress, Modi commended the people for their excellent organisation of the event and extended congratulations to Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan for their leadership.
Underlining this year’s International Day of Yoga theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, the Prime Minister remarked that the theme reflects a profound truth: the health of every entity on Earth is interconnected. Human well-being, he stated, depends on the health of the soil that produces our food, the rivers that supply our water, the animals that share our ecosystems, and the plants that nourish us. Modi highlighted that yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness and guides us on a journey toward oneness with the world. “Yoga teaches us we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. Initially, we learn to care for our health and wellness, but gradually, this care expands to our environment, society, and the planet. Yoga is a profound personal discipline that, at the same time, serves as a collective system—one that transitions individuals from Me to We”, the Prime Minister stated.
“The spirit of ‘Me to We’ encapsulates the very soul of India”, said Modi, remarking that when an individual rises above self-interest and begins to think about society at large, the welfare of all humanity becomes possible. He referred to Indian culture, stating that it teaches us the value of “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”—the welfare of all is one’s sacred duty, and this journey from ‘Me’ to ‘We’ forms the foundation of service, dedication, and coexistence. The Prime Minister stated that it is this very thinking that fosters social harmony.