PM Modi Stresses Yoga as Key to Staying Healthy Beyond 70 at International Yoga Day in Kolkata

Kolkata hosted the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a crowd of practitioners and officials. Highlighting yoga’s role in promoting long‑term health, the Prime Minister urged participants to view the practice as a preventive tool against lifestyle‑related illnesses that often surface later in life. Modi emphasized that a person should aim to be as resilient to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease at age 70 as they might have been at 50, stressing that regular yoga can support both physical stamina and mental well‑being.

The event, organized by the West Bengal state government in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, featured demonstrations of asanas, pranayama and meditation. Delegates from across the country and overseas Desi communities observed the sessions, reinforcing the message that yoga is a universally accessible approach to healthy aging.

For the global South‑Asian diaspora, the Prime Minister’s remarks resonate amid rising concerns about chronic diseases among older adults. By promoting yoga as a low‑cost, culturally familiar practice, the outreach seeks to inspire families to integrate it into daily routines, potentially reducing future healthcare burdens and enhancing quality of life for elderly members.

The celebration concluded with a group meditation, underscoring the collective commitment to holistic wellness.