Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nationwide celebrations of the 12th International Day of Yoga from Kolkata on June 21, 2026, with the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing'. The event aimed to promote the importance of yoga practice in everyone's life with participation from all sections of society.
In New Delhi, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya was joined by actor and fitness icon Akshay Kumar in leading celebrations at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, where nearly 3,000 participants gathered for a mass yoga session organized by the Fit India Movement under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Simultaneous yoga sessions were conducted at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres, National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India institutions and other sports establishments across the country, drawing participation from lakhs of citizens.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that 'yoga and fitness must become part of everyday life if India is to realise its vision of becoming a developed nation,' highlighting the role of the Fit India Movement in promoting behavioural change and preventive healthcare through community participation. He stressed the importance of maintaining good health and adopting fitness practices such as yoga and cycling as part of daily life. Akshay Kumar also outlined the importance of yoga in promoting physical and mental well-being and encouraged people to make fitness a regular habit.
The programme included cultural performances, live-streaming of the Prime Minister's address from Kolkata, and a Common Yoga Protocol session led by renowned yoga and wellness instructor Anshuka Parwani, who was felicitated as a Fit India Icon. Akshay Kumar was also felicitated as a Fit India Icon for his contribution towards promoting fitness and healthy living. The event recognized India's achievements in Yogasana, with athletes who excelled at the recently concluded World Yogasana Sport Championship in Ahmedabad being felicitated as Fit India Champions.
The event was attended by Secretary (Sports) Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary (Youth Affairs) Pallavi Jain Govil, senior Sports Ministry & Sports Authority of India officials, and members of the sporting fraternity. Participants later engaged in yoga-related activities, expert-led counselling sessions, and a Mallakhamb demonstration showcasing India's traditional fitness practices. The nationwide observance reflected the growing synergy between flagship initiatives such as Fit India, MY Bharat and Yogasana Bharat in promoting healthier lifestyles, while highlighting the continued global growth of yoga as a wellness movement.