Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan participated in the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations in Leh, Ladakh on 21 June, calling on citizens to integrate yoga into their daily routines and describing it as 'an ancient gift from Bharat to humanity.' The event, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayan ranges, drew senior civil and military officials, yoga practitioners, students, and members of the local community.

VP's Address: Yoga Beyond Physical Exercise

Addressing the gathering, Radhakrishnan stressed that yoga is far more than a fitness regimen. 'Yoga is much more than a form of physical exercise and represents an ancient gift from Bharat to humanity,' he said. He noted that India's sages, through centuries of meditation, austerity, and spiritual inquiry, developed a holistic system that nurtures the body, calms the mind, and elevates the soul.

He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2014 address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with giving global recognition to yoga a decisive push — a call that led the United Nations to designate 21 June as the International Day of Yoga, backed by more than 175 member nations.

This Year's Theme: Yoga for Healthy Ageing

The 2025 theme, 'Yoga for Healthy Ageing', drew particular attention from the Vice President. Citing the India Ageing Report 2023, he observed that by 2050, nearly one-fifth of India's population will be elderly. He emphasised that the goal must be to ensure 'added years to life also mean added life to years,' positioning yoga as a practical tool for physical health, mental well-being, and active ageing.

This comes amid a broader national conversation on elder care, as India's demographic transition accelerates and healthcare systems brace for a rapidly growing senior population.

Yoga and the Ladakhi Way of Life

Radhakrishnan drew a deliberate parallel between the philosophy of yoga and the lived experience of Ladakh's people. He observed that life at high altitudes demands endurance, discipline, and adaptability — qualities that yoga cultivates. During his interactions in the region, he said, he found the people of Ladakh to be 'calm, peaceful, kind and deeply connected to nature.' He added that while Ladakhis already embody many qualities associated with healthy living, sustained yoga practice would help them 'realise their fullest human potential.'

Visit to Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre

Earlier in the day, the Vice President visited the Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Devachan Campus, in Leh. He expressed appreciation for the institution's work in education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of yoga and meditation across Ladakh. He commended the leadership of Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena, calling the MIMC 'a shining example of how spiritual wisdom and humanitarian action can come together for the welfare of humanity.'

Who Was Present

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Lok Sabha MP Mohmad Haneefa were among the dignitaries present, alongside senior civil and military officials, yoga practitioners, students, and members of the local community.

As India marks another International Yoga Day, the Leh event underscores Ladakh's growing profile as a venue for high-visibility national occasions — and the Centre's continued emphasis on yoga as both a cultural and public-health priority.