HC’s Remarks on 12th International Day of Yoga

(Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, 21.06.2026)

• Hon’ble Dr Michael Dowlath, Minister of Education
• Ms Kiva Clarke, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs
• Members of Diplomatic Corps
• Reps of the Yoga-related organizations and institutions 
• All Yoga Practioners and Enthusiasts 
• Members of Media, Ladies and Gentleman, 

Namaste & Very Good Morning

On behalf of the High Commission, I warmly welcome you all on the occasion of the 12th International Day of Yoga and thank you for taking time this morning. 

We appreciate that many of you have come from far distances, woken up very early, and made the effort to come here. Your presence signifies a shared commitment to fostering health, well-being and inner peace.

I especially welcome Hon’ble Minister of Education and representatives of the MFA and other Ministries. I sincerely thank Hon’ble Minister of Foreign & CARICOM Affairs and his colleagues Kiva Clarke in the Ministry for facilitating us in getting the venue and other logistics. 

Since its first observance in 2015, the International Day of Yoga has evolved from a United Nations-designated annual event into one of the world's largest participatory wellness movements. 

The celebration now brings together millions of people across countries, cultures and communities through the shared practice of Yoga. 

The 2026 edition, themed ‘Yoga for Healthy Ageing’ (स्वस्थ आयु के लिए योग), reflects a growing global emphasis on healthy and active living across the lifespan. As we age and non-communicable diseases and lifestyle-related health concerns rise globally, the emphasis is shifting from simply adding years to life to enhancing health span, quality of life and overall well-being.

Healthy ageing is increasingly understood as the ability to maintain functional capacity, mobility, cognitive health and social participation throughout life. Within this framework, Yoga offers a multidimensional practice that combines physical activity, breath regulation and mindfulness. 

Friends!!

The preparations for IDY 2026 began well in advance through a series of countdown events. Each event brought together thousands of participants for the Common Yoga Protocol and reinforced the message of collective participation.

A major milestone was achieved in the run-up a special live yoga session organised on 14th June with participation of more than four hundred thousand persons joining simultaneously, creating a new Guinness World Record.

Alongside these events, several new initiatives have also been introduced for IDY 2026, to make Yoga more accessible and relevant to diverse groups: 

1. The campaign '100 Days, 100 Cities, 100 Organisations' launched to encourage institutions and communities across the country to make Yoga a regular part of daily life.
2. Yoga for Air Travel, a specially designed protocol developed by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga for travellers undertaking long journeys. The initiative demonstrates how Yoga can be adapted to modern lifestyles and everyday needs.
3. Yoga 365 initiative has been launched to encourage people to make Yoga a regular part of daily life. It seeks to make Yoga accessible to people of all ages and easier to practise at home, in schools, workplaces and communities. 
4. Launch of 10 Yoga Protocols for Non-Communicable Diseases and Target Groups: Developed by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Traditional Medicine, these protocols address conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, bronchial asthma and mental health concerns. 

Ladies and Gentlemen

As we celebrate this day, let us recommit to our practice and spread the message of yoga far and wide.

Let us pledge that yoga will not be limited to just one day, yoga will not be confined to just one program. We will make yoga a part of our lives, a part of our families, and a part of future generations.

I once again welcome you all on this occasion of IDY and thank everyone for contributing to making our IDY celebration a success. We look forward to continued collaboration in this endeavour in the times to come.

Thank You Namaste!!