Dilip Guha ★ New Delhi : The 11th International Day of Yoga was celebrated with great fervor across the Delhi NCR region on June 21, 2025, through a collaborative effort involving various organisations, including government ministries, departments, agencies, and institutions. The event highlighted a deep sense of unity and civic participation, drawing people from diverse walks of life to embrace yoga as a time-honored path to physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual balance.
This year’s global theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscored the intrinsic relationship between human well-being and environmental harmony. The celebration aimed to reinforce yoga’s role as a transformative practice that nurtures holistic health and sustainable living.
One of the key participants, the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)—a subordinate body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, DGHS—observed the occasion at its office premises with great enthusiasm. The programme commenced with a yoga session led by certified instructor Mr. Pritish Maurya, from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, Ministry of Ayush. Staff from NOTTO and ICMR actively took part, engaging in common yoga protocols and Pranayama (breathing techniques). The session concluded with a brief talk on the value of yoga in preventing organ damage, supporting post-transplant recovery, and promoting general health. The event aligned with NOTTO’s mission of cultivating a healthy, wellness-conscious society through integrative approaches.
In parallel, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush, hosted yoga sessions at 81 centrally protected monuments across India. In a gesture of inclusivity and national celebration, public entry to all ASI monuments was made free for the day. This initiative served as a tribute to India’s cultural legacy and spiritual wisdom, reinforcing the country’s leadership in promoting wellness tourism and holistic health globally.
India Tourism Delhi, under the aegis of the Union Ministry of Tourism, organized a mass yoga session at the iconic Sun Dial Lawns of the Qutub Minar Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Held from 6:00 to 8:00 am, the session was a centerpiece of the day’s celebrations.
The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Shri Gajendra Singh Yadav, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA); Shri Lakshay Singhal, IAS, District Magistrate, South Delhi; Ms. Priyanga Wickramasinghe, Deputy High Commissioner, Embassy of Sri Lanka; Ms. Wathsala Amarasinghe, Minister Counsellor, Embassy of Sri Lanka; and senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism—underscoring the global spirit of the occasion.
Renowned yoga guru Gopal Rishi and his team led the practice session, guiding attendees through a series of comprehensive yoga techniques that enriched both body and mind. He also addressed the gathering, speaking on yoga’s far-reaching effects on personal harmony, resilience, and clarity.
More than 400 participants attended the event, representing diverse sectors and communities. These included members of IATO, ADTOI, and TAAI; regional-level tourist guides; students from Yuva Tourism Clubs and the Institute of Hotel Management (Pusa); officials from the ASI and Ministry of Tourism; and numerous local residents. The programme opened with welcome remarks by the Regional Director (North), followed by an address from Shri Gajendra Singh Yadav. Attendees also viewed the live telecast of the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s address, a moment that brought collective inspiration and reflection.
Students from IHM Pusa also played a pivotal role by introducing the programme and sharing insights on how yoga bridges culture, wellness, and tourism.
The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by the Principal of IHM, acknowledging the contribution of all dignitaries, participants, volunteers, and supporting organizations.
The celebration created an atmosphere of peace, wellness, and cultural pride, reaffirming India’s leadership in promoting yoga as a universal path to health and harmony.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta led a striking celebration at Sonia Vihar Water Sports Club, situated along the scenic Yamuna Ghat. In a unique spectacle titled “Yoga With Yamuna,” children practiced yoga in the heart of the river, while kayakers adorned with Indian flags cruised the water. The event was one of eleven held across the capital.
Reflecting on her participation, Chief Minister Gupta remarked: “I get reminded of my duties whenever I see the Yamuna.” She shared ongoing efforts to clean the river, including the removal of nearly 1,000 tonnes of water hyacinth using drone technology in partnership with the water department. She also spoke of future plans to introduce river cruises as part of Delhi’s tourism and ecological revitalization efforts.
Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra, also present at the event, noted it was the first government-hosted yoga programme of its kind in many years.The event reflected India’s broader vision of establishing itself as a global hub for wellness tourism, offering a message of unity, balance, and well-being to the world.
