On International Yoga Day, June 21, 2025, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) organized special yoga sessions in remote villages near the India-China border, as part of the government's vibrant villages program. This initiative brought together local residents, students, and army personnel to promote health, wellness, and rural tourism in the region.
The yoga sessions were held in villages including Mana, Malari, Jadung, Nilang, Harsil, Dugtu, and Nabidhang, spread across the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh. Trained instructors guided participants through various yoga asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation exercises. The events witnessed significant participation from local residents, schoolchildren, youth, and army personnel.
The initiative aimed to raise awareness about health and wellness in remote areas and promote rural tourism and cultural engagement. Uttarakhand's serene and natural surroundings make it an ideal destination for yoga practices. The UTDB is making efforts to develop these vibrant villages as hubs of yoga tourism and local development, which will also open up employment opportunities for the local youth. The UTDB plans to continue organizing such programs to help boost the local economy and support holistic development in the state's border regions.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Yoga Sangam program with representatives from eight countries at the Gairsain Assembly Complex in Gairsain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand. Ambassadors and diplomats from Nepal, Mexico, Latvia, Fiji, Suriname, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, and Russia were special guests at the event. CM Dhami emphasized the worldwide enthusiasm for yoga, noting that Uttarakhand officials would engage in talks with international representatives on joint ventures in tourism, wellness, education, and industry. He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing Yoga to the global stage through the United Nations.
President Droupadi Murmu celebrated International Yoga Day 2025 by participating in a mass yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan in Dehradun. The event brought together hundreds of yoga practitioners from across the state. President Murmu lauded yoga as a unique contribution of India to global wellness and a powerful symbol of India's soft power. She highlighted yoga's role in preventive healthcare and mental well-being, promoting a healthy mind and body.
This year's theme for International Yoga Day was "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reflecting India's vision of aligning personal well-being with planetary health. The 11th edition of International Yoga Day was celebrated with grandeur across India and the globe. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national celebrations from Visakhapatnam, joined by over 3 lakh participants.
Uttarakhand is also set to emerge as the first state with a well-defined yoga policy. The AYUSH department has prepared a yoga policy, which was approved by the state cabinet on May 28, 2025. The Uttarakhand Yoga Policy 2025 aims to establish at least five new yoga hubs in Uttarakhand by the year 2030, including Jageshwar, Mukteshwar, Vyas Valley, and Tehri Lake. A 'Yoga Directorate' will be created to operate the Yoga Policy, make and implement rules, give grants, and monitor all departmental activities.
