Modi heads Yoga for Healthy Ageing event in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga on Sunday, June 21, 2026, guiding thousands of participants through a mass session on Kolkata’s historic Red Road. The event, held under the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” emphasized the practice’s role in promoting longevity and holistic well-being across all generations.

The Prime Minister participated in an 80-minute Common Yoga Protocol session starting at 6:30 a.m., which included nine postures, five breathing exercises, and meditation. More than 30,000 people were expected at the venue, with West Bengal’s Governor, Chief Minister, and the Union Ayush Minister in attendance. In his address, Modi stated that yoga is not merely physical exercise but an expression of the human spirit that unites people. He framed the theme as an inspiration for individuals to maintain flexibility, energy, and resistance to lifestyle diseases throughout their lives.

The celebration in Kolkata marked Modi’s first visit to West Bengal since the Bharatiya Janata Party formed a new state government. His two-day trip began on Saturday with events marking the state’s foundation day, where he delivered a...