Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation’s observance of the 12th International Day of Yoga on Sunday from Red Road in central Kolkata, where he is expected to participate in a mass yoga session and address thousands of practitioners.

Ahead of the event, Modi called upon people across West Bengal to organise and actively participate in Yoga Day programmes, saying the state’s rich spiritual legacy could inspire the world.

Speaking at a programme marking West Bengal Day in Tarakeswar on Saturday, the Prime Minister said the land of great spiritual leaders such as Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo would send a powerful message through the celebrations.

According to an official statement, Yoga Day events are being organised at nearly 2,500 locations worldwide, with participation from more than 210 Indian diplomatic missions and posts, underscoring yoga’s growing global appeal as a tool for health, harmony and well-being.

This year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” focuses on the role of yoga in promoting physical fitness, mental wellness, emotional resilience and active ageing. The theme highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy and dignified life as life expectancy rises globally.

Since the adoption of India’s proposal by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014 to observe June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, Modi has led celebrations from various locations, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mysuru, New York City, Srinagar and Visakhapatnam.

Later in the day, the Prime Minister will visit Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to commission three indigenously designed and built naval vessels into the Indian Navy.

The vessels include the advanced stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak and the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft INS Agray.

READ MORE: Trailblazing Naheed Muqueetulla reinvents Indian denim through Urbano

Officials said the induction of these ships will enhance India’s maritime capabilities and strengthen coastal security. All three vessels were designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers with support from more than 200 MSMEs and domestic industry partners.