Indian Armed Forces Celebrate International Yoga Day Across the Nation
Nationwide Celebration of Yoga Day
From the icy peaks of the Siachen Glacier to the naval ships anchored in Visakhapatnam, the Indian Armed Forces commemorated International Yoga Day on Saturday, reaffirming their dedication to discipline and inner strength. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh led the celebrations in Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir, accompanied by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
Singh remarked, 'There was a time when yoga was thought to be limited to saints and sages. Today, people are practicing Surya Namaskar on mats from Times Square in New York to lawns near the Eiffel Tower. Isn't that nothing short of a miracle?' He emphasized that this reflects India's 'emerging soft power,' with yoga serving as its 'strongest ambassador.' A senior military official noted that Yoga Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country.
BSF Celebrates Yoga Day at Borders
The Border Security Force (BSF) observed Yoga Day from Jammu to Punjab, Kashmir, and the northeastern borders. In Jammu, BSF personnel participated in yoga sessions, while in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, the main event saw Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma join 1,500 BSF soldiers in practicing yoga. DIG Yogendra Singh Rathore of BSF (North) stated, 'We have organized Yoga Day events at various locations. In Jaisalmer, the main program took place, sending a message to Pakistan that if they wish to progress, stay healthy, and strengthen their mental resilience, they should embrace yoga.'
Yoga Day in Naxal-Affected Areas
In the Naxal-affected region of Tumalpada in Sukma, Chhattisgarh, villagers, largely unfamiliar with yoga, participated for the first time alongside personnel from the CRPF's 74th Battalion.
Yoga from Pangong Tso to Port Blair
Officials reported that soldiers practiced yoga from the shores of Pangong Tso Lake to Port Blair, and from Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh to the Rann of Kutch, adopting this ancient Indian practice as a means of physical, mental, and emotional resilience. The Army Chief, present at the Udhampur event, highlighted the significance of yoga in enhancing 'war readiness and stress management' among soldiers.
In Delhi, Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General N. S. Raja Subramani participated in yoga with soldiers and their families at the Karyappa Parade Ground, which included over 3,400 participants, such as defense attaches from 25 countries, NCC cadets, and school students.
Navy's Yoga Sessions on Ships
Indian Navy personnel in Visakhapatnam joined the main Yoga Day event led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sessions were held on naval ships anchored at RK Beach. The Eastern Naval Command posted, 'As the sun rose over RK Beach, personnel from the 'Sunrise Command' along with families and citizens of Andhra Pradesh embraced the energy of the sea and sky with the honorable Prime Minister.' A day prior, a Navy spokesperson indicated that over 11,000 naval personnel and their families were expected to participate in the event.
Yoga Practice at Sea
Among those practicing yoga at sea were ships from the Eastern Fleet and the Coast Guard offshore patrol vessels 'Veera' and 'Vigrah,' stationed away from RK Beach at Visakhapatnam Port. The Indian Coast Guard also organized a 'Yoga Sangam' program at its Noida facility in collaboration with the Yoga Vandana Institute. Indian Army personnel deployed in UN peacekeeping missions and military training teams abroad also participated in yoga sessions on this occasion. Indian soldiers involved in multinational yoga exercises 'Khan Quest' in Mongolia and bilateral yoga exercises 'Shakti' in France practiced yoga alongside international counterparts, showcasing India's cultural outreach.
These extensive celebrations reflect the Indian Army's commitment to its motto 'Yoga Karmasu Kaushalam' (Yoga is excellence in action) and its resolve to incorporate yoga into the daily routines of its personnel. This year's theme for International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health.'
Social Media Highlights
#अंतर्राष्ट्रीययोगदिवस – Yoga for One Earth, One Health
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) June 21, 2025
On the 11th International Day of Yoga #IDY2025, #IndianArmy conducted Yoga sessions from the world's highest battlefield #Siachen to all the terrains & climatic conditions through the expanse of the country. #IDY2025… pic.twitter.com/vdM51U34J9