The Indian Army observed the 11th International Day of Yoga with enthusiastic participation across commands, from remote borders to global deployments, reinforcing its commitment to wellness, discipline, and holistic health.

From the frozen altitudes of the Siachen Glacier and the tranquil Pangong Tso in Ladakh to the southern coastlines of Port Blair, and from Kibithu in Arunachal Pradesh to the vast Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Indian soldiers came together to perform yoga, embracing the ancient Indian discipline as a cornerstone of physical and mental resilience.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi joined Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir, where the duo led troops in yoga exercises, underlining the practice’s significance in stress management and enhancing combat effectiveness.

In the national capital, Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani led a mass yoga session at Cariappa Parade Ground. The event saw participation from over 3,400 individuals including Army personnel, their families, NCC cadets, school children, and Defence Attachés from 25 nations.

Indian Army contingents posted abroad, including those on UN peacekeeping missions and Military Training Teams, also observed the occasion. Yoga sessions were held in Mongolia during the multilateral exercise Khan Quest and in France during Exercise Shakti, where Indian soldiers practiced alongside international counterparts—underscoring India’s global cultural engagement.

The Indian Army’s widespread participation reflects its belief in the guiding principle “योगः कर्मसु कौशलम्” — Yoga is excellence in action — and its continued effort to integrate yoga into daily regimens regardless of terrain, climate, or duty station.