International Yoga Day 2023: Focus on Healthy Aging

This year's International Yoga Day, taking place on June 21 in Kolkata, will focus on the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Aging.' Union Minister for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, emphasizes the importance of yoga in promoting a healthy and dignified life for the elderly. With the growing aging population and lifestyle-related health issues, the initiative aims to encourage citizens to adopt yoga as a lifelong practice. The AYUSH Ministry has planned extensive preparations for the event, including awareness campaigns and community engagement activities. Discover how yoga can play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for seniors.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 15:08 IST

Emphasizing Yoga for Healthy Aging

Union Minister for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, highlighted that this year's International Yoga Day will focus on yoga as a means to promote healthy aging. This theme reflects a critical global health issue, especially as the country faces an aging population and the rising burden of lifestyle-related diseases.

The main event for International Yoga Day is scheduled for June 21 in Kolkata, with the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Aging.'

Jadhav emphasized that the focus should shift from merely increasing life expectancy to ensuring a healthy, active, and dignified life. In an interview, he stated, 'The theme Yoga for Healthy Aging showcases an area of global health priority.' He noted that yoga provides a holistic approach to physical fitness, mental agility, emotional balance, and healthcare throughout the aging process.

He stressed the importance of Kolkata as the host city, stating that it represents India's rich cultural and intellectual heritage, making it an ideal location to showcase yoga as an eternal tradition.

Jadhav remarked, 'Choosing Kolkata as the host city is equally significant. It reflects India's rich cultural, spiritual, and intellectual heritage, making it a perfect place to present yoga as a timeless practice.' He pointed out that the world is witnessing a significant demographic shift, with an increasing elderly population alongside a rise in stress-related illnesses, non-communicable diseases, and lifestyle-related health issues.

According to the minister, yoga offers an easy, accessible, and cost-effective solution that promotes mobility, flexibility, mental resilience, and overall health. He expressed, 'Through this theme, we aim to encourage citizens to adopt yoga as a lifelong practice that aids in healthy and active aging.'

He added, 'I urge every elderly citizen to embrace yoga as a companion for a healthy and dignified old age.' Regarding the preparations for International Yoga Day 2026, Jadhav mentioned that the AYUSH Ministry has made extensive arrangements, including awareness campaigns, training programs, institutional partnerships, community engagement activities, and a 100-day countdown.

Discussing the role of the 'Yoga 365' initiative in this year's Yoga Day, he explained, 'Yoga 365 is designed to transform yoga from a one-day event into a year-round movement. Through continuous engagement, training programs, and public participation initiatives, 'Yoga 365' encourages citizens to incorporate yoga into their daily lives.