Guwahati: Assam is intensifying its preparations for the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY), set to take place on June 21, with an ambitious, multi-tiered strategy involving mass participation and international alignment. The roadmap was laid out in a high-level virtual meeting chaired by Health Minister Ashok Singhal, attended by all District and Co-District Commissioners. The session focused on evaluating local preparedness while emphasizing the need to promote yoga as a year-round lifestyle rather than a symbolic, one-day affair.
Health Minister Singhal urged officials to treat IDY as a transformative mass movement that reaches every community and social group. He stressed the importance of moving beyond ceremonial observance and instead embedding yoga into daily life as a tool for physical, mental, and environmental wellbeing.
This year, Assam’s central celebration will be held at Salbari in Baksa district, a decision finalised after a joint site inspection by AYUSH Director Indranoshi Das and the Deputy Commissioner of Baksa. The selection was formally approved by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Alongside the main event, coordinated yoga demonstrations, awareness drives, and competitions will be conducted across all 35 districts. These activities will involve school and college students, local bodies, panchayats, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
The national theme for IDY 2025, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” links personal wellness with environmental sustainability. To support this message, the Ministry of AYUSH has announced a robust global campaign that includes:
• Yoga Sangama: Mass synchronised yoga sessions at 1,00,000 locations worldwide, targeting a global record.
• Yoga Bandhan: Collaborative sessions at world heritage sites with participation from 10 partner countries.
• Yoga Parks: Creation of 1,000 dedicated open-air yoga spaces across India.
• Yoga Samavesh: Inclusive programs tailored for senior citizens, children, the differently-abled, and marginalised communities.
• Yoga Maha Kumbh: A week-long celebration across 10 cities, culminating in a grand national observance led by the Prime Minister.
• Harit Yoga: Integration of yoga sessions with tree plantation and cleanliness drives.
• Yoga Connect Virtual Global Summit: A digital forum featuring global health experts and yoga scholars.
• Yoga Prabhava: A comprehensive review of yoga’s impact on public health outcomes over the last decade.
• Yoga Unplugged: Youth-targeted events and challenges to boost Gen Z engagement.
• Samyogam: A 100-day pilot initiative to merge yoga with modern healthcare delivery at the community level.
Several of these national-level initiatives will be mirrored in Assam to maximise grassroots involvement. Promotional campaigns and countdown events are also planned to build momentum in the weeks leading up to June 21.
Adding to the vibrancy, a state-wide Yoga Asana Competition will be organised based on the Common Yoga Protocol, divided into four age categories. District Commissioners will oversee the district-level implementation with support from AYUSH officials, educational institutions, and local NGOs. All participants will receive certificates, with winners to be honoured on the main celebration day.
Minister Singhal called for united participation from schools, colleges, civil society, the armed forces, NSS, NCC, and local administrations to ensure an inclusive and impactful celebration. The drive reaffirms Assam’s commitment to making yoga a cornerstone of community health and global harmony.
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