Yoga: A Global Beacon of Peace and Wellness — PM Modi’s Vision on International Yoga Day 2025
- MGMMTeam
- Jun 21
- 4 min read
As the world observed the 11th International Day of Yoga, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the picturesque RK Beach in Visakhapatnam, delivering a message that went far beyond physical wellness. His speech reflected a deeper vision—to turn yoga into a universal force for unity, peace, and healing in a time marked by war, stress, and growing disconnection.
A Pause for the World in Chaos
In his address, PM Modi described yoga as the "pause button" humanity needs today. As wars and unrest simmer across regions—from Europe to West Asia—he urged the global community to use yoga as a means to stop, breathe, and realign with peace. Modiji emphasized that yoga holds the transformative power to dissolve ego and divisions, and it guides individuals from a self-centric “me” toward a harmonious collective “we.” In a world struggling to find balance, yoga, he said, offers a timeless path to stillness, strength, and serenity.
One Earth, One Health: A Theme Rooted in Nature
This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” was carefully chosen to highlight the interconnectedness of human health and the environment. PM Modi explained that our well-being is inextricably tied to the health of the soil, rivers, air, and flora that sustain us. He stated, “Our health depends on the soil that grows our food, the rivers that quench our thirst, and the plants that nourish us.” Yoga, with its emphasis on holistic living and awareness, serves as a reminder of our duty to live in harmony with the planet.
Across India, yoga was celebrated not just as a physical activity, but as an ecological, spiritual, and cultural tradition. The Ministry of Ayush launched 10 nationwide initiatives including campaigns like Harit Yoga and Yoga Sangam, promoting yoga alongside environmental awareness and public engagement.
Yoga’s Boundless Journey Across the Globe
PM Modi highlighted how yoga has become a truly global movement that transcends cultures, religions, and geographies. From the iconic steps of the Sydney Opera House to the heights of Mount Everest and even aboard Indian Navy vessels, yoga has found a place in nearly every corner of the world. Modi noted its unique ability to connect people across national and social boundaries, reminding us that yoga belongs to all of humanity.
He also celebrated the inspiring stories emerging from India, where yoga is practiced in prisons, among the disabled, in tribal communities, and even in space by astronauts. “Yoga has reached the stars, the seas, the mountains, and the streets,” he said, emphasizing how it belongs as much to everyday citizens as it does to yogis and wellness experts.
A Vision Beyond the Mat: Introducing ‘Yoga for Humanity 2.0’
In a significant message to the world, PM Modi proposed what he called “Yoga for Humanity 2.0”—a visionary approach in which the inner peace cultivated through yoga shapes external systems and policies. This, he said, is not just about personal transformation but about influencing how communities and nations interact, resolve conflict, and build the future.
He called on governments and institutions to integrate yoga’s core principles—compassion, balance, and discipline—into policymaking and governance. The goal is to create a world order rooted not in domination or fear, but in shared humanity and mutual respect.
India’s Leadership in the Global Yoga Movement
Recalling the moment when India’s proposal to designate June 21 as International Day of Yoga was unanimously adopted by the United Nations in 2014, PM Modi reflected on the significance of yoga as a gift from India to the world. With support from 175 countries, it became one of the fastest resolutions passed in UN history. That collective endorsement, he noted, is a reflection of yoga’s universal acceptance and relevance.
This year’s Yoga Day saw record participation, with over 2 crore people taking part in sessions across India, and over 3 lakh gathering in Visakhapatnam alone. International celebrations took place in major global cities, embassies, and institutions, further reaffirming yoga’s global resonance.
Grassroots Impact and Local Celebrations
Apart from the grand national event, various local celebrations added depth to Yoga Day 2025. In Bahraich, a panel discussion featuring Indian and Nepali experts highlighted the integration of yoga and Ayurveda in preventive healthcare. In Andhra Pradesh, the Health Minister stressed the need to treat yoga as a daily lifestyle, not a once-a-year event. Plans were announced to introduce yoga in schools, workplaces, and community health programs, reinforcing its role in both preventive and mental health care.
Conclusion: From Personal Peace to Global Harmony
Prime Minister Modi’s message on International Yoga Day was clear—yoga is not merely a set of postures, but a philosophy for global well-being. In a world fractured by conflict, mental stress, and environmental crisis, yoga offers a path to not only individual transformation but also collective healing. As we move toward what Modiji envisions as “Yoga for Humanity 2.0,” the challenge and opportunity lie in taking this ancient practice from the mat to our minds, homes, societies, and global institutions.
By doing so, India’s gift to the world may well become a guiding light in building a more compassionate and balanced future.
(Sources: Indian Express, India Today, LiveMint)
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