Amit Shah Leads Mass Yoga Session in Ahmedabad to Mark 11th International Yoga Day

Across India and the globe, communities unite to celebrate yoga’s enduring role in health, harmony, and heritage under the theme ‘One Earth, One Health’.

New Delhi – Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in a mass yoga demonstration on Friday at Prahlad Nagar Garden in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, commemorating the 11th International Day of Yoga. Accompanied by Gujarat Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi, MLA Amit Thaker, and senior BJP officials, Shah joined hundreds of citizens in a synchronised yoga session that highlighted the unifying and health-enhancing power of the ancient Indian discipline.

The session was part of the nationwide ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Ayush, which aimed to bring people together through yoga across thousands of locations in India. The initiative seeks to deepen public awareness of yoga’s benefits for both mental and physical well-being by encouraging mass participation.

Taking to social media platform X, Home Minister Shah reflected on the occasion, writing:
“Yoga has been an integral part of the Indian tradition of a healthy and fit lifestyle for centuries. Regular practice of yoga makes the body, mind, and thoughts free from disorders and transmits positive energy. Under the leadership of Modi ji, India’s invaluable heritage ‘Yoga’ has been adopted by the entire world. On the occasion of ‘International Day of Yoga’, I give everyone my best wishes and appeal to make yoga a part of daily life.”

Globally, too, International Yoga Day 2025 saw widespread celebration. The Indian diaspora and local communities across continents gathered for yoga sessions that not only demonstrated its physical benefits but also underscored its ability to unite people across cultural and national boundaries.

One day prior to the global observance, on June 20, several countries held large-scale yoga sessions to mark the countdown to the event. In Nepal, the Embassy of India in collaboration with the Lumbini Development Trust held a yoga demonstration at Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indian Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, emphasised yoga’s Indian roots and its rise as a global movement, particularly after the UN officially recognized June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2014.

In Thailand, students from St. Andrews International School participated in a yoga session organised by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre under the Indian Embassy in Bangkok. The session reflected the 2025 theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human well-being and environmental health.

The Indian Embassy in Vienna, Austria, in collaboration with Stadt Wien (City of Vienna), held a well-received event which was prominently featured on Austria’s national broadcaster ORF’s morning show Guten Morgen Österreich.

Meanwhile, in Saudi Arabia, students from International Indian Schools in Taif and Jubail took part in yoga activities designed to promote wellness, unity, and inner peace.

Now in its 11th year, International Yoga Day has become a global phenomenon. From major cities to rural corners, and from diplomatic centers to school campuses, yoga’s resonance has transcended borders. India continues to lead the global yoga movement, reaffirming its message of mindfulness, sustainable living, and holistic health.

The 2025 theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, aligns with India’s broader vision of creating a healthier planet through time-tested traditions. As the world grapples with mental health challenges, lifestyle diseases, and climate stress, yoga stands as a timeless solution rooted in balance, discipline, and spiritual clarity.