H R Nagendra to Lead International Yoga Day Celebrations at New York’s Times Square

H R Nagendra , renowned yoga practitioner and mentor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi , will lead the International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebrations at New York's iconic Times Square on June 21, underscoring yoga's growing global appeal and India's expanding cultural influence on the world stage.

Ahead of the celebrations, Nagendra will inaugurate a three-day Yoga and Wellness Retreat in Monticello, New York, from June 12 to 14. The retreat will feature yoga sessions, meditation, discussions on stress management, healthy aging, preventive healthcare, and holistic wellness. Community leaders, physicians, wellness experts, and members of the Indian diaspora are expected to participate.

The programme is being organised by the Rajasthan Association of North America (RANA), BRUHUD NY Seniors, and Jaipur Foot USA. Nagendra, a Padma Shri awardee and president of the Bengaluru-based Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhan Samsthana (S-VYASA) University, will be joined by the institution's Vice Chancellor N K Manjunath.

Nagendra will also serve as the chief guest at the International Day of Yoga celebrations at Times Square, organised by the Consulate General of India in New York. In a statement, he expressed his delight at participating in the event and highlighted yoga's role in promoting physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

This year's theme, "Yoga for Healthy Aging," seeks to position yoga as an accessible tool for improving longevity, mobility, and overall quality of life, particularly among older adults. Over the past decade, yoga has evolved from a traditional cultural and spiritual practice into one of India's most effective instruments of soft power . Through International Day of Yoga celebrations held across continents, India has successfully projected its ancient wellness traditions to a global audience, strengthening cultural diplomacy and people-to-people connections. The worldwide observance of yoga has also boosted interest in Indian philosophy, holistic health practices, and wellness tourism.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in December 2014 declaring June 21 as the International Day of Yoga following an initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first global observance was held on June 21, 2015, and has since grown into one of the most widely celebrated international events, drawing millions of participants across the world each year.