Text of PM's speech at 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister's Office

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Text of PM's speech at 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Posted On: 21 JUN 2025 8:49AM by PIB Delhi

Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazir Ji, the popular Chief Minister of this state, my dear friend Chandrababu Naidu Garu, my colleagues in the Union Cabinet, K. Rammohan Naidu Ji, Prataprao Jadhav Ji, Chandrashekhar Ji, Bhupati Raju Srinivas Verma Ji, the state's Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan Garu, other dignitaries and my dear brothers and sisters! Namaskar to all of you!

A very happy International Yoga Day to all the people of the country and the world. Today, for the 11th time, the whole world is doing yoga together on 21 June. The simple meaning of yoga is to connect and it is pleasant to see how yoga has connected the whole world. When I look at the journey of yoga in the last decade, I remember many things. The day when India proposed in the United Nations that 21 June should be recognized as International Yoga Day and then in the shortest time 175 countries of the world stood with our proposal. In today's world, such unity, such support is not an ordinary event. This was not just the support of a proposal, it was a collective effort of the world for the good of humanity. Today, after 11 years, we are seeing that yoga has become a part of the lifestyle of crores of people across the world. I feel proud when I see that our Divyang friends read yoga scriptures in Braille, scientists do yoga in space, young friends in villages participate in Yoga Olympiad. Look here, a wonderful yoga program is going on in all the Navy ships. Be it the steps of Sydney Opera House, or the peak of Everest, or the expanse of the ocean, the same message comes from everywhere - Yoga belongs to everyone, and is for everyone. Yoga is for Everyone, Beyond Boundaries, Beyond Backgrounds, Beyond age or ability.

Friends,

Today I am happy that we are all in Visakhapatnam. This city is the confluence of both nature and progress. The people here have organised this event so well. I congratulate Chandrababu Naidu Garu and Pawan Kalyan Garu, under your leadership Andhra Pradesh took a wonderful initiative of Yogandhra Abhiyan. I would like to specially praise the efforts of Nara Lokesh Garu. How should there be a social celebration of yoga, how should every section of the society be connected, he has shown this in this Yogandhra campaign of the last one and a half months, and for this brother Lokesh deserves many congratulations. And I would also like to tell the countrymen that how can such occasions be taken deeply at the social level, the work done by brother Lokesh should be seen as a model.

Friends, 

I have been told that more than two crore people are associated with the Yogandhra campaign. This is the spirit of public participation which is the main basis of developed India. When the public itself comes forward and takes up a campaign, owns a goal, then no one can stop us from achieving that goal. This good will of the people and your efforts are visible everywhere in this event.

Friends, 

The theme of this year's International Day of Yoga is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. This theme reflects a deep truth. The health of every entity on Earth is interconnected. Human well-being depends on the health of the soil that grows our food, on the rivers that give us water, on the health of the animals that share our eco-systems, on the plants that nourish us. Yoga awakens us to this inter-connected-ness. Yoga leads us on a journey towards oneness with the world. It teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but part of nature. Initially we learn to take good care of our own health and wellness. Gradually, our care and concern extends to our environment, society and planet. Yoga is a great personal discipline. At the same time, it is a system that takes us from Me to We. 

Friends,

This feeling of 'Me to We' is the essence of the soul of India. When a person thinks about the society above his own interests, only then the entire humanity is benefited. Indian culture teaches us, Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, that is, the welfare of all is my duty. This journey from 'I' to 'We' is the basis of service, dedication and co-existence. This thinking promotes social harmony.

Friends,

Unfortunately, today the whole world is going through some kind of tension. Unrest and instability is increasing in many areas. In such a situation, yoga gives us the direction of peace. Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe to become whole and gain balance.

I would like to make a request to the world community on this important occasion. Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.O, where Inner Peace becomes Global Policy. Where yoga is not just a personal practice but becomes a medium of global partnership. Where every country, every society makes yoga a part of their lifestyle and public policy. Where we together give impetus to a peaceful, balanced and sustainable world. Where yoga takes the world from conflict to cooperation, and from tension to solution.

Friends,

To spread yoga in the world, India is further strengthening the science of yoga through modern research. Major medical institutions of the country are engaged in research on yoga. It is our endeavor to ensure that the scientific nature of yoga finds a place in modern medical system. We are also encouraging evidence-based therapy in the field of yoga in the country's medical and research institutions. Delhi's AIIMS has also done very good work in this direction. AIIMS research has revealed that yoga has an important role in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders and in women's health and mental well-being.

Friends,

The mantra of yoga and wellness is also being promoted through the National Ayush Mission. Digital technology has also played a big role in this. Through the Yoga Portal and YogAndhra Portal, more than 10 lakh events have been registered across the country. Today, events are being organized at so many places in every corner of the country. This also shows how much the scope of yoga is increasing.

Friends,

We all know that today the mantra of Heal in India is also becoming very popular in the world. India is becoming the best destination for healing for the world. Yoga also has a big role in this. I am happy that a Common Yoga Protocol has been created for yoga. More than six and a half lakh trained volunteers of the Yoga Certification Board, a 10-day yoga module in about 130 recognized institutions and medical colleges, many such efforts are creating a holistic ecosystem. Trained yoga teachers are being deployed in our Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country. Special e-AYUSH visas are being given so that people from all over the world can benefit from this wellness ecosystem of India.

Friends,

Today, on Yoga Day, I would like to draw everyone's attention towards obesity once again. Increasing obesity is a big challenge for the whole world. I had discussed this in detail in the Mann Ki Baat program. For this, I had also started a challenge to reduce 10 percent oil in our food. I once again call upon the countrymen and people from all over the world to join this challenge. We have to spread awareness about how we can reduce at least 10 percent oil consumption in our food. Reducing oil consumption, avoiding unhealthy diet and doing yoga is the key to better fitness.

Friends, 

Let us together make Yoga a mass movement. A movement that takes the world towards peace, health and harmony. Where every person begins the day with Yoga and finds balance in life. Where every society is connected with Yoga and is free from stress. Where Yoga becomes a medium to bind humanity together. And where 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health' becomes a global resolution. Once again, while congratulating the leadership of Andhra, congratulating the people of Andhra and congratulating the Yoga practitioners and Yoga lovers spread across the world, I wish you all a very Happy International Yoga Day. Thank you!