'World's biggest festival': PM Modi celebrates International Day of Yoga in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the International Day of Yoga has evolved into the world’s biggest festival, as he led the nation in observing the 11th edition of the international event from Kolkata's Red Road.

To kickstart the celebrations, PM Modi addressed a massive gathering and highlighted that global participation in Yoga Day events has doubled. He said that the occasion has grown into a massive collective movement that transcends national boundaries.

“Yoga Day has become the world’s biggest festival; visuals are coming from different parts of the world," the Prime Minister said. He emphasised that June 21 holds a special significance as it is the longest day of the year in several parts of the world. He said that the date has acquired an additional global identity because of the International Day of Yoga.

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“June 21, in some parts of the Earth, is the day with the longest duration of daylight in the year. And because of International Yoga Day, this day, June 21, has also become the day of the world’s largest collective celebration," the Indian premier averred.

Yoga, a way of connecting people

In his speech, the prime minister insisted that yoga can connect people across regions and cultures, the Prime Minister said, “Yoga unites us. I congratulate everyone on Yog Diwas." He went on to laud the civic initiative undertaken in Kolkata and said it could serve as an example for others.

“I congratulate Kolkata for their Swachta se Swagat initiative. This is an inspiration for everyone," PM Modi said. He maintained that the spirit of yoga was visible throughout the country.

“In India, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from the Northeast and Bengal in the east to Saurashtra in the west, the entire country seems to be filled with the energy of yoga," he said.

From Kolkata, PM Modi also extended greetings to participants and citizens observing the occasion worldwide. “Yoga unites us. I congratulate everyone on Yog Diwas," he said. I extend my best wishes. On the occasion of Yoga Day, especially in Kolkata and across Bengal, I would also appreciate the efforts of the people of Kolkata for cleanliness and yoga," he reiterated.

The prime minister also elaborated on the theme of this year's celebrations, ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’, and said that it enables individuals to unlock their potential regardless of age. “Our target must be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our target must be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our target must be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where Yoga can help us," he said.

“It helps us tune our bodies to be flexible. It keeps our energy level high. It also helps us maintain a calm, stress-free life and keep lifestyle diseases at bay. Moreover, with regular practice, Yoga teaches us to remain lifelong learners of our bodies and minds. The more we know about ourselves, the better we can manage ourselves," PM Modi averred.