Shekhawat joins International Yoga Day at Karjat ashram
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat observed International Day of Yoga at Shantikshetra Ashram in Karjat, Maharashtra, on 21 June 2026, invoking a Bhagavad Gita verse and crediting PM Modi for making yoga a global practice.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat participated in a yoga session at Shantikshetra Ashram, Karjat, Maharashtra on 21 June 2026 .
He cited the Sanskrit verse 'Yogah karmasu kaushalam' ('Yoga is excellence in action') from the Bhagavad Gita to frame yoga as a tool for national service.
Shekhawat credited PM Narendra Modi for transforming yoga into a global practice through his 2014 UN General Assembly proposal.
The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 69/131 in December 2014 , establishing 21 June as International Day of Yoga.
The 2026 observance was held under the theme #YogaForHealthyAgeing , with coordinated events across government ministries.
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat participated in a yoga session at Shantikshetra Ashram in Karjat, Maharashtra, on 21 June 2026, marking the International Day of Yoga with a public post crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating the practice to a global phenomenon.
Posting in Hindi on X, Shekhawat wrote: 'Yoga hmare jeevan ko santulit karne ka madhyam hai' — 'Yoga is the medium to balance our lives.' He invoked the Sanskrit verse 'Yogah karmasu kaushalam' — 'Yoga is excellence in action' — drawn from the Bhagavad Gita, framing the practice as a foundation for serving society and the nation with full capacity, in both body and mind.
Context
The minister's participation at Shantikshetra Ashram is part of the nationwide observance of International Day of Yoga, held annually on 21 June. The ashram in Karjat is a recognised yoga and wellness centre in Maharashtra that has hosted official observances by central government ministers. Shekhawat's post, tagged to @PMOIndia, @MinOfCultureGoI, and @tourismgoi, signals coordinated ministry-level participation across India.
Policy Backdrop
The International Day of Yoga traces its origin to September 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the observance during his address to the UN General Assembly. In December 2014, the General Assembly unanimously adopted resolution 69/131, declaring 21 June as International Day of Yoga — with a record number of co-sponsoring nations. The first global observance was held on 21 June 2015, with mass events across more than 190 countries.
The Ministry of Culture, which Shekhawat heads, is responsible for promoting India's intangible cultural heritage, a category that formally encompasses classical yoga systems. The ministry works in coordination with the Ministry of AYUSH on annual Yoga Day programming, combining domestic public outreach with events at Indian missions abroad.
Stakeholders and Impact
The event speaks to multiple constituencies: yoga practitioners and wellness communities, the growing wellness tourism sector, and India's broader cultural diplomacy architecture. Shekhawat, as Union Minister for both Culture and Tourism, sits at the intersection of these interests — yoga-linked tourism to ashrams and retreat centres has been an expanding segment of India's inbound and domestic travel market.
State culture departments and district administrations across India organise parallel events on 21 June, making the day one of the most widely coordinated public health and cultural observances in the country's official calendar.
What's Next
With the 2026 International Day of Yoga observed under the hashtag #YogaForHealthyAgeing, attention will now turn to the thematic direction the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of AYUSH set for the 2027 edition, as well as any announcements on funding for yoga infrastructure and wellness tourism circuits. Parliamentary scrutiny of expenditure on yoga promotion and cultural diplomacy programming is also expected in the next budget cycle.
Point of View
The post reinforces a unified government narrative linking yoga to Modi's global legacy. The invocation of a Bhagavad Gita verse subtly situates yoga within a civilisational frame, consistent with the broader cultural agenda the Ministry of Culture has pursued since 2014. As wellness tourism grows into a policy priority, such events also serve as soft launches for sector-specific messaging ahead of budget and parliamentary sessions.
NationPress
21 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is International Day of Yoga celebrated on 21 June?
21 June is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which holds special significance in many cultures. India proposed this date when PM Narendra Modi recommended it during his 2014 UN General Assembly address, and the UN adopted it in December 2014 through resolution 69/131.
What is Shantikshetra Ashram in Karjat?
Shantikshetra Ashram is a yoga and wellness centre located in Karjat, Maharashtra. It has been used for official yoga observances by central government ministers, including for the International Day of Yoga.
What does 'Yogah karmasu kaushalam' mean?
'Yogah karmasu kaushalam' is a Sanskrit verse from the Bhagavad Gita meaning 'Yoga is excellence in action.' Minister Shekhawat cited it to convey that yoga enables individuals to serve society and the nation with full physical and mental capacity.
What is the theme of International Yoga Day 2026?
The 2026 International Day of Yoga was observed under the theme 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing,' as reflected in the official hashtag #YogaForHealthyAgeing used in government communications including Minister Shekhawat's post.
What role does the Ministry of Culture play in International Yoga Day?
The Ministry of Culture, headed by Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, is responsible for promoting India's intangible cultural heritage, which includes classical yoga systems. It coordinates with the Ministry of AYUSH on annual Yoga Day programming across India and at Indian missions abroad.
