News Brief
'Yoga Is The Pause Button That Humanity Needs’: 6 Key Takeaways From PM Modi’s Address On International Yoga Day
PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on Friday (21 June).
Addressing a gathering at the event, PM Modi highlighted yoga’s global impact and its deeper potential as a tool for peace, well-being, and sustainability.
He emphasised that yoga had emerged as a unifying force across the world, cutting through boundaries of age, nationality, and background.
Here are the key takeaways from PM Modi's speech:
Yoga Is For Everyone, Beyond Boundaries
PM Modi traced yoga’s journey over the past decade, recalling how 175 nations supported India's proposal at the United Nations to mark 21 June as International Day of Yoga.
He noted that yoga has now become a way of life for millions—from the visually impaired reading yoga texts in Braille to astronauts practicing yoga in space.
Iconic sites from the Sydney Opera House to Mount Everest and naval ships were cited as stages for yoga’s global adoption.
He reiterated, "Yoga is for everyone—beyond boundaries, backgrounds, age, or ability."
'Me To We': Yoga As A Moral Compass For Humanity
The Prime Minister connected yoga with India’s civilisational ethos of moving from personal welfare to collective well-being.
“The spirit of ‘Me to We’ is the soul of India,” he said, citing India’s ancient prayer “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” (May all be happy).
He stressed that yoga fosters empathy, service, and social harmony, reinforcing community cohesion and shared responsibility.
Call For 'Yoga For Humanity 2.0'
Amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia and Europe, and the rising global instability and stress, PM Modi described yoga as the "pause button" humanity needs.
"Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe to balance to become whole gain," he said.
"Let this Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity 2.O, where Inner Peace becomes Global Policy," he said.
He also called for evolution of yoga from a personal routine to a medium of global partnership and a path towards a peaceful, balanced, and sustainable world, where yoga leads the world from "conflict to collaboration, and from stress to solutions".
Strengthening Yoga Through Science And Research
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s effort to integrate yoga into modern medical systems through research.
He cited the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) as a key example, highlighting its research findings that point to yoga’s significant role in treating cardiac disorders, neurological conditions, women’s health issues, and mental well-being.
He noted that India is encouraging evidence-based therapeutic applications of yoga across its medical and research institutions under the National Ayush Mission.
Digital tools such as the Yoga Portal and YogAndhra Portal facilitated registration of over 10 lakh yoga events across India, indicating the growing footprint of yoga-based wellness.
The government is also deploying trained yoga teachers in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and offering special e-Ayush visas to global citizens seeking wellness in India.
Tackling Obesity Through Yoga And Diet Reforms
In a health-focused appeal, PM Modi drew attention to the global obesity crisis.
Referencing his earlier ‘10 per cent less oil’ challenge launched through the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, he urged citizens worldwide to reduce their oil intake by at least 10 per cewnt and adopt a healthier lifestyle anchored in yoga and mindful eating.
"Cutting oil, avoiding unhealthy diets, and practicing yoga—that’s the herbal formula for fitness,” he remarked.
A Mass Movement For Global Peace And Wellness
PM Modi called upon people to turn yoga into a daily practice and a mass movement—one that leads the world towards peace, health, and harmony.
“Let every individual begin their day with yoga, let every society unite through yoga, and let ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’ become a global mission,” he said.
