In a heartfelt appeal that resonated deeply across India’s villages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon Gram Panchayats and Gram Pradhans, the heads of rural councils, to take charge of organizing and leading the participation for the International Day of Yoga in 2025. His message, filled with a sense of national pride and collective responsibility, urges the leaders of rural India to step up and ensure that every individual—young or old—participates in the celebration of yoga. This practice has been the lifeblood of India’s culture for millennia.
It was not just an appeal to those in positions of authority but to the spirit of unity, tradition, and resilience that lies at the heart of rural India. The call to action is a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage, a call to bring its traditional practices to the forefront of global health movements. In this campaign, yoga is not just about the asanas, the physical postures—it is a reflection of the very soul of India, a way of living, breathing, and being.
Responding with enthusiasm, panchayats are organizing special yoga sessions, community outreach activities, and demonstrations of the Common Yoga Protocol at schools, Anganwadis, panchayat bhavans, and public spaces, transforming IDY 2025 into a true jan-andolan (people’s movement) at the village level.
Highlighting the significance of the upcoming edition of IDY, the Prime Minister noted that it is not just a global observance but also marks the completion of a meaningful decade-long journey of yoga’s resurgence on the international stage. “It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world,” mentioned the PM in the letter.
Union Minister of State (IC) for Ayush and Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav expressed deep appreciation for the remarkable efforts of Gram Panchayats across the nation, highlighting their extraordinary response. He said, “The overwhelming participation from Gram Panchayats stands as a powerful testament to the inspiring leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His heartfelt appeal has transformed the International Day of Yoga into a true people’s movement, where villages across India are embracing yoga as a way of life. These grassroots initiatives beautifully reflect the profound cultural connection and the growing public commitment to holistic health through yoga.”
Om Prakash Yadav, the Sarpanch of Pariyari village in Kerakat, Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh), shared how the Prime Minister’s letter became an emotional and motivating message for his community. “The letter felt like a personal message from our Prime Minister,” he recalled, “and it deeply moved and motivated our entire village to embrace yoga wholeheartedly.” Following the Prime Minister’s call, the village began holding weekly yoga sessions at the Panchayat Bhavan and introduced yoga competitions for local schoolchildren to build their confidence and discipline. A special ‘Yoga Yatra’ was organized. With enthusiasm flowing from all corners of the village, it not only raised awareness but also brought the entire community closer together through the unifying power of yoga.
Sunil Kumar, the Gram Pradhan of Bandakpur village in Damoh (Madhya Pradesh), expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for his empowering message on the International Day of Yoga. “The Prime Minister’s historic initiative has truly transformed yoga into a nationwide movement, reaching every village and igniting the hearts of people across the country,” he said. Sharing the village’s preparations for Yoga Day 2025, he added, “We are ensuring the maximum participation of the community in our Panchayat area, and we will be hosting a special yoga session under the Common Yoga Protocol to mark the occasion. Our villagers are eagerly awaiting the chance to come together for this collective practice.” He also mentioned that a comprehensive awareness campaign is being carried out at the Panchayat level, ensuring that every household is well-informed and inspired to participate in this celebration.
Pawani Mishra, the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Khera Kursi in Kanpur Dehat (Uttar Pradesh), spoke with immense pride and inspiration after receiving the Prime Minister’s letter. “It is a tremendous honor for us,” she said. “The letter has ignited within us the motivation not only to practice yoga but to make it an integral part of our daily lives.” In preparation for IDY 2025, the Panchayat has rolled out specially designed yoga programs for all age groups. Despite the challenges of being a hilly area, local youth have come together to create an open-air yoga site where regular morning sessions are currently held. Women’s groups have launched awareness initiatives under the theme ‘Health is Wealth,’ organizing discussions on yoga and nutrition. Additionally, village-level painting and essay competitions themed ‘Prosperity through Yoga’ have seen enthusiastic participation from children. “We are confident,” she added, “that through this collective effort, IDY 2025 will become a truly historic, people-led celebration at the grassroots level.”
A MOMENT OF PRIDE AND RESPONSIBILITY
For India’s rural communities, the Prime Minister’s words were more than just a political message—they were a reminder of the country’s ancient legacy and the critical role they play in preserving it. In his call to the Gram Pradhans, Modi acknowledged the central role these community leaders play in shaping the lives of millions in the heartland of India. He reminded them that yoga, though now a global phenomenon, had its origins in their very lands, where it was once practised to align the mind, body, and spirit with nature’s rhythms.
“I urge you, my dear Gram Pradhans,” Modi said, his voice imbued with sincerity, “to lead your communities in celebrating the International Day of Yoga in 2025. It’s an opportunity not just to participate but to celebrate our culture and show the world how deeply yoga is embedded in the Indian way of life.”
It was a moment that many saw as an invitation to reflect on India’s spiritual roots, a call to connect with something ancient and powerful that has the potential to bring peace, balance, and wellness not only to the body but to the mind and soul. Modi’s vision for Yoga Day 2025 is not just about stretching and breathing; it is about healing a nation and, in turn, healing the world.
THE POWER OF YOGA IN RURAL INDIA
For generations, yoga has been an integral part of life in rural India. It has not always been viewed as a fitness routine or a trendy global practice but rather as a means of living in harmony with nature, fostering mental clarity, and cultivating inner strength. The rural heartland, with its close connection to the land and the simplicity of life, provides the ideal environment for yoga to flourish.
But yoga, like much of India’s ancient wisdom, has often been confined to the urban elite in recent years. While cities have embraced their health benefits, rural India has struggled to incorporate them into the fast-paced and challenging realities of everyday life. Prime Minister Modi’s call to Gram Pradhans is not just a political move—it is a personal invitation to rural India to rediscover yoga as a tool for physical, mental, and social wellness.
It is a way of life that has sustained generations before, offering not just physical strength but emotional and mental resilience—qualities that rural India has always embodied but often overlooked in the face of modern challenges. Modi’s call brings the spotlight back to these villages, where yoga can be a key to overcoming stress, anxiety, and the pressures inherent in rural life. It’s about aligning the mind, body, and spirit with nature’s healing rhythm.
A VISION OF UNITY AND HEALING
For Modi, the celebration of the International Day of Yoga in 2025 is not just an event—it is a symbol of the unity and collective strength of India. It is a chance to heal as a nation, to come together as one people, one land, with a shared purpose. The Prime Minister’s call to action speaks to a much larger goal: the healing of the nation. India’s deep-rooted connection to yoga is a reminder of its ancient wisdom, a wisdom that has the potential to help the country heal from the modern-day challenges it faces.
It is in these villages, the backbone of India, where the spirit of unity must be rekindled. As Gram Pradhans lead the charge for Yoga Day 2025, the hope is that every member of the community will come together, breathe as one, and feel the transformative power of yoga. The collective participation of villagers—whether elders, children, farmers, or teachers—will be a testament to India’s strength, resilience, and the transformative power of yoga.
“Yoga is not just about stretching your body; it’s about stretching your mind to embrace the infinite possibilities that life offers,” Modi explained. “It is a practice that unites us, heals us, and empowers us to overcome whatever challenges we may face.”
The Prime Minister’s words were a reminder that yoga is far more than a practice—it is a tool for resilience. The hardships that rural India faces—whether due to economic challenges, a lack of access to healthcare, or environmental issues—can be alleviated through the power of yoga, which teaches mindfulness, focus, and resilience. This message resonated deeply with the rural leaders, who felt a renewed sense of purpose in ensuring that their communities are equipped to tackle the challenges ahead with a calm mind and a strong body.
THE ROLE OF GRAM PRADHANS: LEADING FROM THE FRONT
Gram Pradhans are more than just administrative figures; they are the moral compass of their communities. They understand the pulse of their villages better than anyone else, and when they speak, their words resonate with the power of local wisdom. Prime Minister Modi’s call to these leaders to take charge of Yoga Day celebrations is a recognition of their influence and the potential they have to make a lasting impact on their communities.
For many Gram Pradhans, the opportunity to lead such a significant event is both an honor and a responsibility. The weight of the task is not lost on them, but the knowledge that they are at the forefront of something historic fills them with pride. They are not just organizing a yoga session—they are leading a cultural renaissance, one that will echo in the hearts of their people for generations to come.
In many villages, the Gram Pradhan is a symbol of hope, guidance, and leadership. By spearheading this initiative, they are sending a message of strength and resilience to their people. It is a call to harness the power of yoga to heal, rejuvenate, and unite as one community. The Gram Pradhans know that when their people come together, there is nothing they cannot achieve.
THE IMPACT ON RURAL COMMUNITIES
The International Day of Yoga has always been a day of global celebration, but in 2025, it will take on a new meaning. For rural India, Yoga Day will be more than just an event—it will be a day of collective healing, unity, and empowerment. The Prime Minister’s vision is to turn this day into a movement that spreads across every village, a movement that not only promotes physical wellness but also nurtures emotional and mental health.
For those living in rural areas, the benefits of yoga are especially profound. In many parts of India, access to healthcare is still a distant dream for many, and mental health often goes unnoticed in these communities. However, yoga offers a lifeline—a simple, sustainable way for individuals to take charge of their health, regardless of their circumstances. It is a practice that knows no boundaries, one that can be embraced by anyone at any time and in any place. Yoga has the remarkable ability to blend seamlessly into its environment, whether it’s practised under the cool shade of a tree, in the peaceful courtyard of a village home, or the vast openness of a field. It provides solace and healing wherever it is most needed, offering a refuge for the soul.
The emotional resonance of Prime Minister Modi’s call is undeniable. For many Gram Pradhans and villagers, this moment is more than just an opportunity to practice yoga; it’s a chance to reconnect with their roots and return to a more straightforward, more meaningful way of life—one that deeply honors tradition and culture. This call serves as a gentle reminder of yoga’s profound healing power, not only for the body but also for the mind. In a world that often feels overwhelming and chaotic, yoga brings peace, balance, and a sense of serenity that is desperately needed.
THE WORLD WATCHES
As India prepares for the International Day of Yoga in 2025, the world is watching. What began as a national event has evolved into a global celebration, with millions of people from every corner of the world participating. But it is the participation of rural India that will truly make this event historic. The world will be looking at India’s heartland, watching as millions of villagers come together to celebrate a practice that is as old as time itself.
The message is unmistakable: yoga knows no boundaries—neither of religion, culture, nor geography. It is a universal practice, one with the profound power to heal, unite, and transform lives. For Prime Minister Modi, this moment is filled with deep pride. It reminds us of India’s rich cultural heritage and the pivotal role it continues to play in shaping the world’s future. His call is not just an invitation; it is a heartfelt plea for every Indian to come together in unity to embrace yoga as more than just a practice but as a way of life—one that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.
Modi’s heartfelt appeal to Gram Pradhans is not just a call for yoga—it is a call to embrace India’s ancient wisdom and to reconnect with a practice that has the power to heal both the body and the soul. As the entire nation prepares for the International Day of Yoga in 2025, there is an overwhelming sense of unity, pride, and hope. This is not just an event; it is a movement, one that will bring together millions of people from every corner of India, united by the shared goal of health, wellness, and community.
The Gram Pradhans, as leaders of their communities, have the power to make this dream a reality. Their leadership, combined with the collective spirit of rural India, will ensure that Yoga Day 2025 is an unforgettable celebration of peace, health, and unity. It is a moment that will be remembered not just for its scale but for the deep emotional connection it fosters across the country.
As India embarks on this journey toward a healthier, more connected future, the call for yoga has never been more relevant or urgent. This is India’s time to shine, and it is through the leadership of its Gram Pradhans that this dream will come true. Yoga will not just be celebrated on June 21, 2025—it will become a way of life for millions of people across India, empowering them to live healthier, happier lives.
