President Droupadi Murmu participated in a large-scale yoga event at Garrison Ground in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on 21 June 2025, marking the 12th International Yoga Day with hundreds of citizens performing asanas together. The event, themed 'Yoga for Healthy Elderly', drew participants of all ages and underscored yoga's growing role in public health discourse.

President Murmu's Address

Addressing the gathering, President Murmu described yoga as a 'precious gift' of India's ancient cultural heritage to the global community. 'I am delighted to be present on the holy land of Jabalpur,' she said. 'I wish all yoga seekers at home and abroad a very happy International Yoga Day. Yoga has shown humanity the path to a healthy, balanced, and meaningful life.'

The President further emphasised that yoga 'literally means joining society with nature itself' and serves as 'a powerful means of connecting the entire humanity to global consciousness.' She observed that in a world facing numerous challenges, yoga guides people towards peace, balance, harmony, and collective welfare.

Chief Ministers Join the Occasion

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav participated alongside President Murmu at the Jabalpur venue, calling yoga a 'priceless heritage' of ancient Indian culture. He highlighted the Ashtanga Yoga system propounded by Maharishi Patanjali, which, he noted, goes beyond physical fitness to foster holistic development of body, mind, and soul.

'By regularly practising yoga, we can achieve a healthy body, a calm mind, and a happy, balanced, and joyful life,' Chief Minister Yadav said. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai participated in a parallel programme in Ambikapur, reflecting the nationwide scale of the celebrations.

This Year's Theme: Yoga for Healthy Elderly

The 2025 theme — 'Yoga for Healthy Elderly' — places a deliberate focus on senior citizens, for whom yoga offers documented benefits including improved mobility, mental clarity, and emotional balance. The emphasis on healthy ageing aligns with India's rapidly growing elderly population and broader public health priorities.

This comes amid increasing global recognition of yoga's preventive health value. Since the United Nations designated 21 June as International Yoga Day, the practice has become part of daily routines for millions worldwide, with India continuing to anchor its promotion diplomatically and culturally.

Scale and Significance

Hundreds of participants across age groups performed yoga asanas simultaneously at Garrison Ground, creating what organisers described as an atmosphere of unity and wellness. The Jabalpur event was among the flagship national celebrations, with the President's presence lending it particular prominence.

Notably, this is the 12th consecutive year that India has organised large-scale public events on 21 June, reflecting the institutionalisation of the day since its UN recognition. As yoga's global footprint expands, India's leadership in shaping its practice and narrative remains central to its cultural diplomacy.