Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in the main event of the 12th International Yoga Day, held on Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday morning. Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Modi said that the entire world and the entire country seem connected to each other, and that is the power of yoga. Yoga unites everyone.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi noted that June 21st is the longest day of the year on some parts of the Earth, and that International Yoga Day has made June 21st the world's largest mass celebration. Praising the people of Kolkata, PM Modi said that "Swagat with Cleanliness" is a great initiative. The hard work and civic duty demonstrated in Kolkata has become a great inspiration for all citizens.

Wishing the entire human community a Happy International Yoga Day, PM Modi said, "Amazing images are pouring in from different parts of the world. In India, from the Himalayas to the Indian Ocean, from Bengal in the Northeast and East to Saurashtra in the West, the entire country appears to be filled with the energy of yoga, filled with consciousness. The entire world and the entire country appear to be connected to each other, and that is the power of yoga. Yoga connects everyone."

PM Modi remembered the great personalities of West Bengal during this time. He said, "It is very special to be in Bengal today on the occasion of Yoga Day. This sacred land of Bengal, where accomplished saints like Lord Ramakrishna Paramhansa took incarnation, where Swami Vivekananda emerged and introduced yoga to the entire world, where great yogis like Maharishi Arvind were born, where great yogis like Lahiri Mahasaya took the yoga tradition to new heights, today the experience of collective yoga on that very land is giving a different spiritual feeling."

On this occasion, PM Modi also remembered Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. He said, "Born on the soil of Bengal, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore believed that human identity lies not in isolation, but in connection with the world around us. This connection is the essence of yoga.

He also echoed the words of Maharishi Arvind. PM Modi said, “Maharishi Arvind also said that our entire life is yoga, whether we realize it or not. When yoga becomes a part of our lives, it becomes the basis of human unity. Yoga is not just a means of physical exertion, nor is it limited to a particular age group. Yoga is also a light of human life, with consciousness, with energy.”

PM Modi said that when we talk about "yoga for healthy aging," it means striving to ensure that aging does not limit human potential. Yoga can inspire human life towards continuous growth and self-improvement.

He said, “Our goal should be to be more flexible at 40 than we were at 20. Our goal should be to be more energetic at 50 than we were at 30. Our goal should be to be more resistant to lifestyle diseases at 70 than we were at 50. This is where yoga can help us.