Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the whole world is going through unrest of some kind or the other and ‘Yoga is the pause button’ that humanity needs to breathe, balance and to become whole again. He was obviously referring to the growing stress and unrest and conflicts in different parts of the world.

The Prime Minister led the celebrations at the 11th International Day of Yoga – 2025 (IDY-2025) on the Beach Road, in Visakhapatnam, on Saturday (June 21, 2025).

Addressing the huge gathering, Mr. Modi remarked that in such times, yoga offers a pathway to peace. He appealed to the global community on the occasion of IDY-2025, to let the day mark the beginning for Yoga of humanity, where the inner peace becomes global policy. He called upon every nation to integrate yoga into their lifestyle and public policy. Yoga should guide the world from conflict to cooperation, and from stress to solutions.

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The theme of this year’s IDY: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” reflects the truth that the health of every entity on the earth is interconnected. Human well-being depends on the health of the soil that produces our food, the rivers that supply water, and the animals that share our ecosystems and the plants that nourish us.

He explained: “Yoga teaches us that we are not isolated individuals but integral parts of nature. Initially, we learn to care for ourselves but gradually this care expands to our environment, society and the plant. In other words, yoga transitions individuals from me to we. This spirit of ‘me to we’ encapsulates the spirit of India, which forms the foundation of service, dedication and co-existence.”

Highlighting the research efforts on the science of yoga going on across the world, the Prime Minister had a word of praise for the evidence-based research going on at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. Yoga has shown significant impact in the treatment of cardiac and neurological disorders, as well as improving women’s health and mental well-being. He said that through the National Ayush Mission, the message of yoga and wellness was being advanced across the country. Digital technology has played a significant role in this regard.

Yoga awareness and its popularity was growing all over the country. The global popularity of the ‘Heal in India’ mantra, highlighting India’s emergence as a leading destination for healing, was also growing. The Common Yoga Protocol has been brought out, and the Yoga Certification Board has trained over 6.5 lakh volunteers, and recognised over 130 institutions. The Prime Minister said that a 10-day yoga module was included in medical colleges as part of developing a holistic wellness ecosystem. Trained yoga teachers were being deployed across Ayushman Arogya Mandirs nationwide.

Referring growing challenge of obesity across the world, Mr. Modi recalled that he had discussed the issue in the Mann Ki Baat programme, and had launched a challenge to reduced oil consumption by 10% in the daily diet. Reduction of oil usage, avoiding unhealthy diet and practising yoga should be the fitness mantra. He called upon all people to accept the challenge. “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” should become a global resolution, he concluded.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu commended the people’s overwhelming response. He said that 22,122 tribal students set a Guinness World Record by performing mass Surya Namaskar in Vizag yesterday.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan also spoke.