In a world grappling with rising stress levels, instability, and conflict, Yoga offers a much-needed "pause button," Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on the 11th International Day of Yoga. Speaking from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, where he led the Yoga Day celebrations, Modi emphasized yoga's power to foster global unity and inner peace, advocating for its integration into both personal lifestyles and global policy.
Modi highlighted that yoga has become an integral part of life for millions worldwide over the past 11 years, transcending boundaries and evolving into a global movement for health, peace, and harmony. He expressed satisfaction that even the visually impaired are now reading yogic scriptures in Braille and that scientists are practicing yoga in outer space. He also noted the importance of making yoga more than just a personal routine, suggesting it should become a catalyst for global partnerships.
The Prime Minister proposed that this Yoga Day should mark the beginning of "Yoga for Humanity 2.0," where inner peace becomes a global policy. He urged the global community to embrace yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. Modi called upon every nation to integrate yoga into their lifestyle and public policy, envisioning a collective effort to advance a peaceful, balanced, and sustainable world. "Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, and from stress to solutions," he added.
The theme for this year's International Day of Yoga, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," conveys a fundamental truth: the well-being of all life on Earth is interconnected. Human well-being depends on the health of the soil, rivers, animals, and plants. Yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness, leading us on a journey towards oneness with the world, and teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but part of nature.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu lauded Modi's vision for transforming yoga into a global wellness movement. He noted that Yoga Day is now celebrated at over 1.2 million venues across 175 countries, with participation from 100 million people worldwide. Naidu also highlighted how technologies like Artificial Intelligence have made yoga more inclusive and accessible.
Modi also emphasized India's efforts to strengthen the science of yoga through modern research to support its global dissemination, noting that the country's leading medical institutions are actively engaged in yoga research, aiming to establish its scientific relevance within contemporary medical practices. He praised the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, for its exemplary contribution in this direction, citing research findings that yoga has shown a significant impact in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, as well as in improving women's health and mental well-being. Through the National Ayush Mission, the message of yoga and wellness is being actively advanced across the country, with digital technology playing a significant role.
The Prime Minister reiterated his appeal to citizens across India and the world to join the initiative to reduce oil consumption by 10 percent in daily diets, addressing the growing global challenge of obesity. He also announced the provision of special e-Ayush visas to ensure the global community benefits from India's wellness ecosystem.
