Bhubaneswar: Odisha hosted the state-level celebrations for the International Day of Yoga 2026 at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday, emphasizing the integration of traditional wellness into public health and elderly care.
Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, attending as the chief executive guest, highlighted this year’s global theme, Yoga for Healthy Ageing, or Niroga o Sustha Jibana pain Yoga in Odia, identifying the practice as a vital tool to address the multi-faceted challenges faced by the senior population.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister described yoga as a universal gift for human consciousness that transcends religious boundaries. He noted that as individuals age, they increasingly encounter physical and psychological conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, and social isolation. Daily practice of yoga and pranayama (breath control) offers an accessible, non-invasive method to manage these geriatric health concerns, contributing to the overall well-being of senior citizens whom he described as invaluable assets to society.
In addition to focusing on healthy ageing, the Chief Minister extended guidance to the younger generation, noting that the modern digital lifestyle, heavy mobile usage, and social media engagement often contribute to elevated stress levels. He recommended a minimum daily routine of 20 to 30 minutes of yoga to maintain mental clarity and emotional balance.
To expand healthcare infrastructure and support traditional systems of medicine, the state government announced the establishment of three new Ayurvedic medical colleges in the districts of Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Rayagada. Furthermore, an advanced institute for yoga and naturopathy is currently under construction on a 20-acre site at Binjhagiri in Jatni, while the foundation stone for a Central Ayurvedic Medical College has been laid in Rairangpur. Plans are also underway to integrate yoga into school curricula and broader public health initiatives across the state.
The event commenced with the Chief Minister virtually joining the live national yoga session broadcast from Kolkata, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Following the Prime Minister’s address, the Chief Minister participated in a mass yoga demonstration on the stadium grounds alongside senior government officials, sports personalities, students, and citizens.
The program was managed by Alok Das and Satya Shobhan Mishra on behalf of the Yoga Mahotsav Samiti. Key dignitaries in attendance included Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj; School and Mass Education Minister Shri Nityanand Gond; Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Shri Gokulananda Mallik; and Kandhamal MP Shri Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi.
Senior administrative officials, including Chief Secretary Shrimati Anu Garg, Development Commissioner Shri DK Singh, and Sports and Youth Services Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shri Bhupinder Singh Poonia, were also present at the assembly.