India rallies global participation for International Day of Yoga 2025
The government gears up for record-breaking celebrations with over 1 lakh yoga sessions and international outreach
With just weeks to go for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), India is stepping up its efforts to transform the annual observance into a truly global people’s movement. An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) meeting was convened yesterday at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, to review national preparedness and accelerate international outreach for IDY 2025, positioning yoga as a symbol of collective well-being and global harmony.
Chairing the meeting, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush and Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, underscored India’s commitment to making yoga accessible to every household and community worldwide. “The International Day of Yoga is not just an event; it is a global wellness movement led by people, communities, and nations coming together for a healthier planet,” he said.
Highlighting the growing international enthusiasm, Jadhav shared that since March 13, a series of daily countdown activities — over 76 so far — have been organised across India and abroad. More than 250 preparatory events have already taken place, reflecting yoga’s universal appeal and rising global participation.
The upcoming IDY will see a landmark initiative, *Yoga Sangam*, with over 1 lakh yoga sessions planned across India and multiple countries on June 21, 2025. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the flagship celebration from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, in a gathering expected to draw over five lakh participants. Parallelly, the Ministries of Tourism and Culture will host yoga sessions at 150 heritage and iconic tourist locations.
The Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, noted that the International Day of Yoga has evolved into one of the world’s largest wellness gatherings, with 24 crore people participating in India alone last year. The Secretary stressed that IDY is part of a long-term global wellness agenda, with the Prime Minister recently appealing for international participation during his address at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva.
This year’s theme, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, aligns with the WHO’s *‘One World, One Health’* initiative. Ten Signature Events are planned globally under this banner to reinforce the connection between personal well-being and planetary health.
A detailed presentation during the IMC meeting outlined ongoing preparations, outreach strategies, and stakeholder responsibilities. Special emphasis was placed on leveraging digital platforms like the *Yoga Unplugged* series on MyGov and fostering partnerships with yoga institutions and community groups worldwide.
Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, noted, “As we mark the 11th edition of the International Day of Yoga, our focus is on building deeper international partnerships and encouraging communities across the globe to embrace yoga as a way of life. Through inclusive, collaborative efforts, we aim to deliver a far-reaching and lasting impact.”
The meeting concluded with a collective call to scale up outreach, strengthen cross-border collaborations, and reaffirm India’s leadership in promoting yoga as a tool for global wellness, peace, and solidarity.
