The world is in need of healing and India — through yoga is offering its heart and soul to the cause
As the Israel-Iran war raged and the endless Ukraine war continues, 21 June — International Yoga Day — came as a refreshing break, when the world came together once again to celebrate a global movement that was seeded by India and has now grown into a symbol of holistic well-being, peace, and collective consciousness. India, with its ancient wisdom and evolving wellness ecosystem, is emerging as a global hub for healing. Yoga, India’s timeless gift to the world, is awakening global recognition of the country’s soft power. What makes yoga unique is not just its physical or medical relevance, but its spiritual and philosophical depth.
As Prime Minister Modi recalled on Yoga Day, India’s proposal to mark June 21, as the International Day of Yoga received the unprecedented backing of 175 countries at the United Nations — a powerful reminder of the world’s trust in India’s cultural and moral leadership. This year’s theme, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reflects a deeper truth: the well-being of individuals is inseparable from the health of the planet. Yoga teaches harmony — between body and mind, human and nature, self and society.
In a world burdened with conflict, climate crisis, and rising mental health concerns, yoga offers a moment of pause, a chance to recalibrate, to breathe deeply and reconnect with the essence of life. As the Prime Minister said, yoga moves us from “Me†to “We.†It is a philosophy of unity that transcends borders, faiths, and ideologies. India’s growing influence through yoga is a compelling example of soft power — the ability to inspire and lead not through coercion, but through culture, values, and ideas.
Yoga is now practised on mountaintops, navy ships, in prisons, and among visually impaired individuals who read yoga texts in Braille. From the Sydney Opera House to the summit of Everest, the message is the same: yoga belongs to all of humanity. In a world divided by power politics, India’s legacy of non-violence, wellness, and inner transformation presents an alternative vision of leadership.
To build on this momentum, India must look beyond symbolism and invest in creating a lasting global ecosystem of wellness. This includes promoting wellness diplomacy through cultural missions abroad, creating international education hubs for yoga and Ayurveda, launching digital platforms to democratise access, and developing globally recognised certification systems for traditional practices. India should also align its tourism, healthcare, and cultural initiatives under a unified identity that presents the country as a sanctuary of healing.
Moreover, India’s spiritual traditions can meaningfully contribute to global conversations on climate change, sustainability, and mental well-being. The celebration of Yoga Day is not just about ‘asanas’ and mass gatherings; it is about reaffirming India’s identity as a civilisational force grounded in compassion, balance, and universal brotherhood. In a fractured world seeking healing, yoga offers a timeless path. India, as its birthplace, stands ready to lead with wisdom, not weapons. The spirit of yoga is the spirit of unity — calm amidst chaos. Let us carry this light forward, together, one breath at a time.
