President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday participated in a mass yoga demonstration at the Uttarakhand State Police Line Maidan in Dehradun to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga, joining thousands across the globe in celebrating the ancient Indian tradition.
Addressing participants after the session, the President extended her greetings to all those practising yoga worldwide. Reflecting on the global recognition of yoga since the United Nations designated June 21 as International Yoga Day in 2015, President Murmu described yoga as a shared heritage of humanity and an example of India’s growing soft power.
“Yoga is not just about physical fitness, it is the art of living a healthy and balanced life,” the President said, adding that its practice contributes to the well-being of not just individuals, but also families, societies, and nations. “When a person is healthy, the family tends to remain healthy. When the family and society remain healthy, the country remains healthy.”
President Murmu also underscored the deeper meaning of yoga, noting that the word itself means ‘to connect’. “The practice of yoga connects the body, mind, and soul of a person and promotes overall health. But it also fosters connection among individuals, communities, and even countries,” she said.
Emphasising the preventive benefits of yoga, the President referred to the commonly accepted notion that prevention is better than cure, and urged people to adopt yoga as a daily discipline. “Yoga is very useful in prevention. I urge all to make it an integral part of life and inspire others to do the same,” she said.
The mass demonstration in Dehradun was part of a nationwide celebration that saw citizens from all walks of life participating in yoga sessions at schools, public parks, and cultural institutions. This year’s theme, ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’, aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to promote holistic wellness at both the individual and collective levels.
