Modi to lead 30,000 in Bengal for International Yoga Day

With plans to gather 30,000 participants, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will headline this year's International Yoga Day celebrations in West Bengal. Local leadership confirmed the event will feature a unique session held on the Ganga River, marking a significant expansion of the state’s annual observance of the global practice.

Editorial·June 19, 2026·reads: 2,323

Modi to lead 30,000 in Bengal for International Yoga Day

West Bengal leader Dilip Ghosh announced that groundwork for the June 21 event is already underway, with daily practice sessions held across the region to encourage community involvement. Ghosh emphasized that the goal is to integrate the practice into every household, extending the reach of an ancient discipline that now spans nearly 200 countries.

Beyond the primary gathering, organizers have introduced a specialized yoga session conducted on boats along the Ganga. This initiative aligns with the broader national strategy led by the Ministry of AYUSH to leverage the practice as a cornerstone of India’s soft power diplomacy. Since the United Nations General Assembly adopted the proposal in 2014, the event has evolved from a national project into a significant international movement focused on physical and mental health.