From Shillong to the sea: Armed forces celebrate International Yoga Day across India

From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the vast Rann of Kutch and from the hills of the Northeast to the offshore platforms, the armed forces celebrated International Yoga Day across the country, reaffirming their commitment to physical fitness and mental toughness.

International Yoga Day 2026 Update: Leaders, Yoga Enthusiasts Participate in Celebrations Across the Country

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh led the celebrations in Shillong as he attended a yoga exercise organized by the Eastern Air Command, accompanied by Air Chief Constable AP Singh and other air warriors.

“Celebrating International Yoga Day at Eastern Air Command in Shillong. I urge everyone to make yoga an integral part of their lives,” he said in a post on X and also shared a video of the session.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh joined around 1,000 Indian Army and Indian Air Force personnel @EAC_IAF Headquarters, Shillong, to celebrate the 12 #InternationalYogaDay2026.

He highlighted yoga as a holistic science and way of life and emphasized its role in promoting… pic.twitter.com/tcFnjsrM9t

— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) June 21, 2026

Chief of the Defense Staff General NS Raja Subramani led the Yoga Day celebrations organized by the Headquarters Integrated Defense Staff at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Meanwhile, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi led celebrations with soldiers in Tezpur, Assam. “His participation alongside soldiers in the Eastern Theater symbolized the Army’s continued emphasis on fitness, resilience and operational readiness in all terrains and conditions,” the senior official said.

This year marks the 12th International Day of Yoga with the theme ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’ highlighting the importance of yoga for all ages.

“From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the southern tip at Kanyakumari; from the land of the rising sun in the Northeast to the vast expanse of the Rann of Kutch, soldiers practiced yoga in diverse and challenging terrains, reaffirming their commitment to physical fitness, mental well-being and holistic health,” the Army said in a post on X.

The celebrations reflected the Army’s ethos of discipline, resilience and wellness, while reinforcing the role of yoga in promoting healthy lifestyles and increasing operational efficiency.

In the national capital, the army organized an event at the Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi. Army jawans and others, deployed in a huge grid formation, stretched their arms and legs to perform various asanas.

Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth participated in the yoga exercise at Cariappa Parade Ground with more than 3,500 enthusiastic participants, including several personnel and their family members, veterans, women, children, National Cadet Corps cadets and many civilians, officials said.

Defense personnel from more than 17 countries also joined the event, reflecting the global importance of yoga and its growing acceptance as a path to health, harmony and well-being, an Army official said.

Yoga classes were also held in desert terrain, coastal areas, islands and field formations, reflecting the unifying spirit of yoga. Yoga events were held at various army headquarters – North, West, East, South, Central and South West.

Naval platforms and ships of the Indian Coast Guard at sea and in port also took part in the celebrations. The day holds a special significance for the Indian Navy as three indigenous front-line ships, including the stealthy frigate Dunagiri, were commissioned in Kolkata on Sunday.

From the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), its personnel aboard the vessels Varad, Samudra Pratap, Sarthak, Arush, C-445, C-161 and C-156 participated in yoga classes, a senior ICG official said.

“In a remarkable display of unity and commitment to health, coordinated yoga classes were conducted on various ICG ships and facilities covering extensive coastal and island territories,” the official said.

The main event was held at the Coast Guard Complex, Noida in association with Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga. The program was supported by ICG CEO Paramesh Sivamani who addressed over 1,000 ICG employees and their family members, the official said.

All military commands of the three services – Army, Navy and Air Force – prepare for this annual event, which aims to promote physical fitness, mental resilience and holistic well-being. Many army headquarters also organized yoga classes ahead of International Yoga Day.

“Yoga’s Calm, Soldier’s Strength #Yoga nourishes physical vitality, sharpens mental focus and promotes inner balance, enabling individuals to lead healthier, more disciplined and resilient lives while cultivating harmony of body, mind and spirit,” Lucknow-based Central Command wrote earlier on X.

The Indian Air Force also organized a series of events involving its many commands, from the Western Air Command in Delhi to the Southern Air Command in Thiruvananthapuram.

The IAF will commemorate the Yoga Day “by organizing yoga sessions across the length and breadth of the country, covering various terrains and regions – from the high altitude mountains of Leh in the north to the beaches of Car Nicobar in the south and from the eastern border of Tawang to the holy city of Dwarka in the west,” officials said ahead of the celebrations.

Rooted in the timeless wisdom of India, yoga nurtures strength, balance and inner harmony, enabling individuals to lead healthier, more active and fulfilling lives at any age, military officials said. According to them, yoga helps build a healthier, stronger and more resilient future.

Published – 21 Jun 2026 22:20 IST