Kolkata to Host Landmark 12th International Day of Yoga Celebrations

PARTHA ROY, KOLKATA: Kolkata is gearing up to host a grand celebration of the 12th International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national and global events from the city’s historic Red Road. The main event, commencing at 5:00 AM, is expected to draw thousands of participants in a unified yoga session, symbolizing India’s pivotal role in promoting this ancient practice worldwide.

The global theme for this year, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, highlights yoga’s profound benefits in supporting vitality and well-being as people grow older. Scientific studies show that regular yoga practice improves balance, flexibility, mobility, and muscle strength — key factors in reducing frailty and fall risk among older adults. It also enhances cardiovascular health, supports cognitive function, preserves brain gray matter, and may slow cellular aging processes through reduced inflammation and better stress management. These benefits contribute to greater independence, mental acuity, and overall quality of life in later years. The West Bengal government is collaborating extensively with the Ministry of Ayush to make the event a resounding success.

Participation has been made mandatory for all state government employees, prompting active discussions on wellness in the workplace. Union Minister Shri Prataprao Jadhav spotlighted the preparatory “Gangotri to Gangasagar: Ganga Tat Yoga Yatra”(June 13–20), which connects sacred river sites — from Gangotri to Haridwar, Varanasi, Patna, Hooghly, and Gangasagar — blending yoga with environmental awareness and community engagement. Complementing the official programme, numerous NGOs are organizing parallel events across Kolkata. Notably, the Centre Point Wellness Clinic, under Dr. Shivaji Bhattacharya, will host “Yog Utsav 2026” at Sree Thyagaraja Hall, Lake Terrace, offering early morning sessions that include diverse wellness activities such as Facial Yoga. With PM Modi at the helm, this year’s International Yoga Day in Kolkata promises to be a vibrant confluence of tradition, science-backed health benefits, and mass participation — inspiring millions to embrace yoga for a healthier, more graceful aging journey.