The Indian Navy marked the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) with a high-spirited and professionally organized flagship event on June 21, 2025. The event, Yoga Sangam led by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, was held under the overarching global theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The Prime Minister led approximately 10000 naval personnel, including personnel and families of Headquarters Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, enthusiastically participating in the event, which was held at the RK Beach, Visakhapatnam, in the esteemed presence of senior dignitaries and defense leadership.
The Indian Navy’s formidable warships, anchored off the coast, added visual grandeur and operational symbolism to the event, emphasizing maritime readiness even during ceremonial observances. Notably, the collective effort contributed to the successful attempt at setting a Guinness World Record for the largest single gathering for a yoga session at a coastal location.
Nationwide and Global Naval Participation During The International Day of Yoga 2025
Commemorating a decade of disciplined commitment to wellness, the Indian Navy’s observance of the International Day of Yoga 2025 reached all operational and administrative nodes. Yoga sessions were conducted across all Naval Commands, with synchronized participation onboard warships, at forward operating bases, and in harbor locations. The adherence to the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP), developed by the Ministry of Ayush (source), ensured standardized implementation across diverse platforms.
Over 50,000 personnel, including serving naval officers, sailors, defense civilians, and family members, actively engaged in yoga-related activities throughout the observance period. This included coordinated sessions on ships deployed in Indian and foreign territorial waters, thereby reinforcing the Navy’s role as a maritime ambassador.
Yoga at Sea – India’s Soft Power Posturing
The Indian Navy’s mission-ready platforms across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) were leveraged for global outreach. Yoga sessions were conducted onboard deployed assets in the Republic of Mauritius, Sultanate of Oman, Djibouti, Malaysia, and Indonesia, demonstrating the alignment of naval diplomacy with India’s soft power projection.
Of particular significance was the participation by the crew of the future stealth frigate Tamal, currently under construction at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad, Russia. This overseas observance by a soon-to-be-inducted combat platform highlights India’s expanding defense collaboration footprint and the Navy’s operational integration of cultural initiatives.
Multinational Engagement and Civil-Military Harmony
The International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 further saw the involvement of trainees from friendly foreign navies currently undergoing training at Indian naval establishments. Their inclusion underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to fostering interoperability and people-to-people connections with allied maritime forces through shared cultural practices.
The Navy Welfare & Wellness Association (NWWA) led comprehensive wellness programs aimed at spouses and families of uniformed and civilian personnel. Their campaigns, rolled out over the preceding 10 days, focused on adopting yoga as a sustainable lifestyle discipline. NWWA’s efforts included instructor-led sessions, wellness workshops, and hybrid-mode yoga tutorials made accessible through MyGov.in and the official Indian Navy portal.
Celebrating A Decade of Operational and Spiritual Alignment
2025 marks the culmination of a decade of the Indian Navy’s sustained engagement with the International Day of Yoga since its inception by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The Navy’s approach has evolved from shore-based observances to fully integrated sea-based, international, and digitally accessible formats.
This evolution aligns with the Indian Navy’s core values of duty, courage, and commitment, reflecting in their adoption of yoga not merely as a fitness routine but as a force multiplier for operational readiness and psychological resilience.
The Navy’s participation in IDY reflects its commitment to national cultural initiatives while ensuring that the physical and mental well-being of its personnel remains a cornerstone of combat efficiency. Furthermore, the focus on the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health” aligns with India’s broader diplomatic vision of global wellness and environmental responsibility.
