Ministry of Culture Celebrates International Yoga Day (IDY) 2026 at Purana Qila, Delhi

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Culture celebrated International Yoga Day (IDY) 2026 on June 21, 2026, at Purana Qila, Delhi, under the theme “Yoga for healthy ageing.” Led by Chief Guest Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary of Culture, the event focused on promoting wellness, discipline, and sustainable living through traditional yoga practices. Participants concluded the session with a collective pledge to incorporate yoga into their daily lives and advocate for its benefits within society. **Key Points / Main Content** **Event Overview and Theme** * The IDY 2026 celebration took place at the historic Purana Qila to highlight the harmony between India’s cultural heritage and yoga. * The official theme for the 2026 celebrations was “Yoga for healthy ageing.” * The event reinforced messages of physical fitness, mental well-being, and holistic health. **Participation and Leadership** * Shri Vivek Aggarwal (Secretary, Ministry of Culture) attended as the Chief Guest, accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). * Active participants included staff from the National Monuments Authority (NMA), CISF personnel from the Red Fort, and school children from Thansingh Pathshala. **Program Activities** * A yoga session featuring asanas, pranayama, and meditation was conducted by Aacharya Tanmay Sharma Guruji and a team of demonstrators. * Attendees observed a live telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address and yoga session broadcast from Kolkata. * The program concluded with a formal vote of thanks and a group pledge to embrace yoga as a lifelong habit. **Impact Analysis** **Ministry of Culture, ASI, and NMA Officers/Staff** **Impact:** Employees were encouraged to adopt a disciplined lifestyle focused on wellness and sustainable living. **Action Required:** Personnel are expected to uphold the collective pledge by incorporating yoga into their daily routines. **Students (Thansingh Pathshala)** **Impact:** Students were introduced to the cultural significance of yoga and its benefits for physical and mental health. **Action Required:** Students are encouraged to embrace yoga as a way of life to achieve holistic health. **CISF Personnel** **Impact:** Security personnel participated in the session to reinforce the importance of physical fitness and mental well-being in their professional and personal lives. **Action Required:** Follow the event’s objective of promoting yoga as a tool for physical and mental wellness. **General Society** **Impact:** The event aimed to spread the message of "Yoga for healthy ageing" to the broader public to improve societal health standards. **Action Required:** Individuals are encouraged to promote the benefits of yoga within their communities as part of the collective pledge taken during the event.

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