Yoga for Humanity: PM Modi Leads Global Celebration from Visakhapatnam, Sets New World Record
The 11th International Day of Yoga unfolded as a vibrant testament to India’s spiritual heritage and global leadership, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Record-Breaking Gathering on the Bay of Bengal
Under the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” over 3 lakh people practiced yoga along a 28-kilometre coastal stretch from R.K. Beach to Bhogapuram, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest yoga gathering.
“This is India’s dialogue with the soul and collective meditation with the world,” PM Modi said. He described yoga as a tool for inner peace, outer efficiency, and global harmony.
National and Global Participation
Andhra Pradesh: Over 2 crore people participated under the “Yogandhra Abhiyan.”
Tribal Achievement: 22,000 tribal students performed 22 Surya Namaskars, entering the Guinness Book of Records.
Gujarat: 2,121 individuals performed Bhujangasana in sync.
All-India Participation: From Ladakh to Kanyakumari and Kutch to the Northeast, yoga united the nation across geography and demography.
Inclusion: Thousands of differently abled individuals joined, highlighting yoga’s universality.
A Global Embrace of India’s Gift
Yoga sessions were conducted in over 180 countries, demonstrating its universal appeal. Schools, armed forces, diplomatic missions, and communities worldwide participated in synchronised events.
“Yoga is not a religion; it is the art of living,” Modi declared, calling for a ‘Yoga for Humanity 2.0’, where inner peace becomes global policy.
UN Recognition and Legacy
PM Modi recalled how India’s 2014 proposal to recognize June 21 as International Yoga Day was adopted by the United Nations in just 90 days—with support from 177 countries, a record for the fastest-backed resolution in UN history.
Closing Reflections
As the sun rose over the Bay of Bengal, Visakhapatnam transformed into a beacon of wellness and unity. The resounding chants and synchronized postures captured not just a nation’s devotion, but the world’s collective breath—unified by yoga, inspired by India.
“One breath. One posture. One world.” This is the vision India gifted the world on this historic day.
