Bhubaneswar: The International Yoga Day 2026 was celebrated with great enthusiasm at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, witnessing large-scale participation from students, athletes, women and senior citizens.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, attending as the chief guest, performed yoga along with participants and later joined the live International Yoga Day programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was broadcast from Kolkata, through virtual mode. After the Prime Minister’s address, the Chief Minister joined senior officials, students, and yoga enthusiasts in a collective yoga session at the stadium.
Yoga as a holistic philosophy and universal science
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister described yoga as a unique confluence of physical, intellectual and spiritual development. He emphasized that yoga is not confined to any religion but is a universal gift from India that contributes to the development of human consciousness.
ଆଜି ଅନ୍ତର୍ଜାତୀୟ ଯୋଗ ଦିବସ ଅବସରରେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱରର କଳିଙ୍ଗ ଷ୍ଟାଡିୟମଠାରେ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଭବ୍ୟ ଗଣ-ଯୋଗାଭ୍ୟାସ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ସାମିଲ ହୋଇ ମୁଁ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆନନ୍ଦିତ। ଛାତ୍ରଛାତ୍ରୀ, କ୍ରୀଡ଼ାବିତ୍, ମାତୃଶକ୍ତି ଏବଂ ବୟୋଜ୍ୟେଷ୍ଠ ନାଗରିକମାନଙ୍କ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଦେଖାଦେଇଥିବା ଅପୂର୍ବ ଆଗ୍ରହ ଓ ସ୍ୱତଃସ୍ଫୂର୍ତ୍ତ ଗଣ-ଅଂଶଗ୍ରହଣ ପ୍ରମାଣ କରୁଛି ଯେ ଯୋଗ… pic.twitter.com/8ae0T09DWd
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) June 21, 2026
He further noted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, yoga has gained global recognition and has strengthened India’s cultural identity on the world stage.
Theme Focus: Yoga for healthy ageing
Highlighting this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, the Chief Minister said yoga and pranayama provide effective solutions to age-related physical and mental health challenges such as hypertension, diabetes, anxiety, and loneliness.
Practice Yoga for Healthy Ageing 🧘♀️✨
Move more. Breathe deeper. Age healthier.
Hon'ble Chief Minister Sri @MohanMOdisha graced the International Day of Yoga 2026 at the #KalingaStadium which saw a large scale participantion from yoga enthusiasts.#YogaForHealthyAgeing… pic.twitter.com/mes1vs7AAt
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) June 21, 2026
He stressed that the well-being of senior citizens is a valuable asset for society and urged citizens to prioritize their health through regular yoga practice.
Appeal to youth for stress-free living
The Chief Minister also urged the youth to adopt yoga in their daily routine, particularly in the context of rising digital dependence. He said excessive use of mobile phones and social media has increased mental stress among young people.
He recommended at least 20 to 30 minutes of daily yoga practice to achieve mental peace, emotional balance, and improved concentration.
Major Announcement: Expansion of AYUSH education and healthcare
In a significant policy announcement, the Chief Minister declared that three new Ayurvedic Medical Colleges will be established in Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Rayagada districts to strengthen AYUSH healthcare infrastructure in Odisha.
He also informed that a state-of-the-art Yoga and Naturopathy Institute is being constructed over 20 acres at Binjhagiri in Jatni. Additionally, the foundation stone for a Central Ayurvedic Medical College has been laid at Rairangpur.
The government, he said, is also working to integrate yoga into school curricula and public health programmes to promote preventive healthcare.
Yoga becoming a people’s movement in Odisha
The Chief Minister observed that yoga has now become a people’s movement in Odisha, with widespread participation from students, sports persons, women, and senior citizens across the state. He said the enthusiastic involvement reflects growing awareness of health and wellness.
He added that the state government is committed to expanding yoga and AYUSH-based healthcare systems to build a healthier and more prosperous Odisha.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister for Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Suryabanshi Suraj; School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond; Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik; Kandhamal MP Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi; Chief Secretary Anu Garg; Development Commissioner D.K. Singh; and Sports and Youth Services Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupinder Singh Poonia.
Senior officials, sportspersons, media representatives and yoga practitioners also participated in large numbers, making the event a grand success.
Caption : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and other dignitaries during the International Yoga Day celebrations at Kalinga Stadium on June 21, 2026.
