On Saturday, June 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam’s picturesque seashore in Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to the country and yoga practitioners everywhere, he emphasized yoga’s ability to bring harmony to the rest of the world during turmoil and commended its ability to bring people together.
“I send my greetings to citizens of all over the world on this International Yoga Day. Today, for the 11th time, the entire world is practicing yoga collectively on 21st June. The very literal meaning of yoga is to join. And it is great to see how yoga united the entire world,” stated PM Modi, recalling the global popularity of yoga.
From UN Recognition to Global Movement
Reminiscing about India’s historical effort at the United Nations, Modi referred to the way in which the concept of commemorating June 21 as International Yoga Day had gained unprecedented international support. “The past decade, if you look at the journey of yoga, it reminds me of many things. The day India presented a resolution in the UNGA to acknowledge June 21 as International Yoga Day and within a very short span of time, 175 nations of the world joined us. This kind of unity and support in the present era is not a common event,” he added.
He highlighted the point that yoga is a perennial gift that is above age, background, and boundaries. “Yoga is for everyone beyond boundaries, beyond backgrounds, beyond age or physical ability. It is a universal gift that unites humanity in health, harmony, and consciousness.”
Visakhapatnam Celebrates International Yoga Day 2025
The occasion was held between a 26-kilometre distance from Ramakrishna Beach to Bhogapuram, and nearby Indian Navy ships anchored in the area provided a sense of grandeur to the landscape. Three lakh people participated in the mass demonstration of yoga.
PM Modi appreciated the hosting, saying, “Friends, I am really happy that we are here in Visakhapatnam, a city that harmoniously combines nature and progress. I would like to offer my warm congratulations to Chandrababu Naidu Garu and Pawan Kalyan for the hosting of such a great event under your leadership. It is appreciable that the Andhra Pradesh state has undertaken this significant initiative to promote yoga.
He also emphasized the global spread of yoga: “Be it the steps of Sydney Opera House, the summits of Everest, or the vastness of the ocean. Everywhere the message is the same Yoga is for all and belongs to all.”
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Yoga isn’t just an exercise. It is a way of life. Wonderful to join this year’s Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam. https://t.co/ReTJ0Ju2sN
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2025
Yoga as Humanity’s Healing Tool
Against the backdrop of increased global tensions and regional instability, Prime Minister highlighted the timeliness of yoga in providing peace and stability. “Alas, today the whole world is experiencing some tension and turmoil. Instability has been rising in most parts of the world. In such a situation, Yoga provides us with the path of peace. Yoga is the pause key which humanity needs to breathe, balance and become complete again.”
He called upon the global community to accept yoga as a common devotion to wellness and harmony. “I would like to take this moment to appeal to the global community on this auspicious occasion to let this International Yoga Day be the start of Yoga for Humanity.”. Let it be the day that inner peace is made a worldwide policy, when yoga is no longer a private ritual, but a tool for global cooperation and oneness. Let all nations and all communities set out to make yoga a collective responsibility, a common service for the well-being of all.
A Call for a Global Movement
Emphasizing the concept of yoga as a common thread, PM Modi summed up, “Let us together make yoga a mass movement. A movement that leads the world towards peace, health and harmony. Where everybody begins the day with yoga and balances life. Where every society is aligned with yoga and stress-free. Where yoga is made the medium to unite humanity and where Yoga For One Earth, One Health is a global solution.”
The function was also graced by Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and State IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
The theme of this year’s International Yoga Day was ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.
