June 21: Marking the 11th International Day of Yoga, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh led a mass Yoga session at the Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir on June 21, 2025. Joined by around 2,500 soldiers, he performed various asanas and breathing exercises, reinforcing yoga’s value as a force multiplier for mental clarity and physical strength within the Armed Forces. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global advocacy for Yoga, calling it a holistic solution to modern challenges like stress, anxiety, and lack of focus.
Addressing the troops, the Defence Minister described Yoga as a blend of science, spirituality, and discipline. “Yoga gives clarity amidst chaos,” he said. “It’s not only a practice of the body, but a unifying philosophy that strengthens mind, soul, and society.” Drawing parallels between Yoga and military resilience, he highlighted Operation Sindoor as an embodiment of the discipline and precision that yoga instills. He asserted that the operation’s successful execution against terror threats in Pahalgam reflects India’s unwavering strength and clarity of purpose.
Calling Operation Sindoor a natural successor to the surgical strikes of 2016 and Balakot airstrikes of 2019, Shri Singh said it had effectively conveyed a stern message to Pakistan, compelling it to request a ceasefire. He stressed that the operation is only paused, not concluded, and reiterated India’s preparedness to act decisively against terrorism.
He urged that Yoga, symbolically and practically, should connect all sections of Indian society. “The real essence of Yoga is in unity—of people, thoughts, and purpose,” he remarked. The Raksha Mantri also applauded the Armed Forces for embracing Yoga as part of their lifestyle, noting its impact on battlefield endurance and mental fortitude.
Across India, multiple Yoga events were held by the defence establishment. In New Delhi, over 1,500 healthcare professionals and patients at Army Hospital (R&R) participated in Yoga followed by a tree plantation drive. In Ranchi, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth emphasized Yoga’s nation-building role among schoolchildren. Celebrations were also observed at the National War Memorial, led by CISC Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
From the high terrains of Ladakh to the classrooms of Ranchi, the Indian Armed Forces demonstrated that Yoga is not just a physical discipline, but a national movement powered by resilience, unity, and holistic health.
