More than 1.25 crore citizens across Gujarat are set to participate in Yoga Protocol training on International Yoga Day this year, with the state-level main event scheduled at Mansa in Gandhinagar district, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi announced on Thursday, 18 June. The flagship gathering will be held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with over 4,000 citizens expected at the primary venue.

Scale of Preparations

Addressing the media on the 12th International Yoga Day preparations, Sanghavi said the state has planned approximately 24,000 programmes in total, spanning schools, colleges, corporate offices, industries, parks, and public spaces. Of these, more than 10 large-scale events have already been completed. On the day itself, mass yoga sessions will run simultaneously across all 17 municipal corporations, 33 districts, all talukas, municipalities, and rural areas, ensuring statewide synchronised participation.

Yoga Week and Community Outreach

Yoga Week is being observed across the state from 14 to 20 June, during which 12 special programmes are being organised to cover distinct sections of society — including sanitation workers, women, senior citizens, and farmers. Ten of these programmes have already been completed, with the remaining two scheduled in the coming days. Earlier on Thursday, more than 5,000 citizens participated in a mass yoga session at GIFT City in Gandhinagar.

This Year's Theme

The theme for this year's International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', which Sanghavi said is being carried forward through a series of targeted programmes across the state. The Gujarat Yoga Board is providing training and facilities to encourage daily yoga practice among citizens. Sanghavi acknowledged the efforts of the Yoga Board chairman and team in broadening statewide participation.

India's Global Yoga Footprint

Sanghavi noted that demand for trained Indian yoga instructors has risen globally, with competitive remuneration on offer. He pointed out that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign visits, yoga demonstrations by foreign nationals have been used as a form of cultural welcome, reflecting what he described as the worldwide reach of India's cultural traditions. The Gujarat celebrations are also being positioned as part of broader programmes marking 12 years of governance under the Modi-led Centre.

Coordination and Logistics

District collectors, municipal commissioners, and social organisations are coordinating to ensure smooth implementation at every level. The scale of the exercise — spanning urban corporations to rural panchayats — makes it one of the largest single-day public health mobilisations in the state's recent history.