The North News
Visakhapatnam(AP), June 21
Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a powerful call to transform yoga from a personal wellness practice into a global force for peace and sustainability. Addressing thousands in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh, Modi said yoga embodied a shift “from Me to We,” urging nations to integrate yoga into public life and policy.
“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 said. “This spirit encapsulates the soul of India. When we move beyond the self and begin thinking of society at large, the welfare of all humanity becomes possible.”
Calling for a new phase—‘Yoga for Humanity 2.0’—Modi appealed to the global community to let yoga be a catalyst for inner peace and a cornerstone of global cooperation. “Yoga is the pause button humanity needs—to breathe, to balance, to become whole again,” he said.
The Prime Minister underscored the urgency of the message amid global unrest, stress, and instability. He envisioned yoga as a tool to move the world “from conflict to cooperation, and from stress to solutions.” His speech echoed this year’s International Day of Yoga theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
Modi led the public yoga session in Visakhapatnam, describing the coastal city as a confluence of “nature and progress.” He commended Andhra Pradesh leaders—Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and actor-turned-politician Pawan Kalyan—for their efforts in making the event a success, and praised Nara Lokesh for spearheading the “Yogandhra Abhiyan,” a campaign that has reportedly seen participation from over 20 million citizens.
“This kind of people-led movement is the foundation of a Viksit Bharat (developed India),” Modi said, adding that active citizen participation makes any national goal achievable.
Reflecting on the global journey of yoga, Modi recalled how India’s proposal at the United Nations to mark 21 June as International Day of Yoga had received backing from 175 countries. “That level of support wasn’t just for a proposal—it was a collective effort by the world for the greater good,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted yoga’s widespread reach, from rural youth participating in yoga olympiads to disabled individuals accessing yogic texts in Braille, and even astronauts practicing yoga in space. “From the steps of the Sydney Opera House to the summit of Mount Everest, the message remains: Yoga is for everyone—Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond Age or Ability.”
Modi linked yoga’s principles to environmental responsibility, urging people to recognise the interconnectedness of health—of individuals, ecosystems, and the planet. “The health of soil, water, plants, and animals determines our own well-being,” he said. “Yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness and teaches us we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature.”
India, Modi noted, is also working to strengthen the science behind yoga. The country’s leading research institutes, including AIIMS in New Delhi, are exploring yoga’s benefits in treating neurological and cardiac conditions, mental health, and women’s health. “We are promoting evidence-based yoga therapy to ensure its integration into modern medicine,” he said.
As the sun rose over Visakhapatnam’s coastline, thousands rolled out their mats in unison. The Prime Minister’s address echoed a vision larger than exercise—one where inner transformation fuels societal change.
