Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, described yoga as a powerful global remedy for today's turbulent times, calling it a "pause button humanity needs to breathe, balance, and become whole again." His address came amid a world fraught with unrest and instability, emphasizing yoga's potential to restore inner peace and global harmony.
Key Takeaways from PM Modi’s Address:
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Yoga as a Global Unifier:Modi reiterated that yoga belongs to no one nation or community, stating:
"The message yoga carries is for everyone — beyond boundaries, beyond background, beyond age or ability."
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"Yoga for One Earth, One Health" – The 2025 Theme:
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Reflects the idea that the well-being of all life forms and the planet itself is interconnected.
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Modi explained:
"Yoga awakens us to this interconnectedness… and leads us on a journey toward oneness with the world."
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A Call for Peace through Inner Awareness:Citing the Sanskrit phrase "Sarve bhavantu sukhinah" (May all be happy), Modi urged individuals to seek peace internally and externally.
"Unfortunately, the world today is witnessing widespread violence and ashanti (unrest). Yoga helps us pause, breathe, and regain composure."
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Yoga for Personal and Social Discipline:
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It begins with self-care and grows into collective empathy.
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Modi stated that yoga instils personal discipline and expands consciousness, connecting us to nature and each other.
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Yoga’s Universal Reach:Using global symbols, he underlined yoga’s inclusive spirit:
"Whether Sydney Opera House, or Everest mountain, or the span of the ocean — the message is that Yoga is for everyone."
Broader Significance:
PM Modi’s message highlights India’s continued cultural diplomacy through yoga — positioning it as not just a wellness practice but a soft-power tool capable of building global solidarity amid conflict, ecological crisis, and social alienation.
Since proposing International Yoga Day at the UN in 2014, Modi has consistently linked yoga with universal well-being, and this year’s theme echoes the ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision introduced during India’s G20 presidency — underscoring health as a shared planetary responsibility.
The event in Visakhapatnam saw widespread participation, with millions joining yoga demonstrations across more than 190 countries, reaffirming yoga’s role as a unifying and healing practice in today’s fractured world.
