Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lead the 12th International Yoga Day celebrations from Red Road in Kolkata on Sunday morning, with over 30,000 participants expected to take part in the main event and thousands of people scheduled to join yoga sessions across West Bengal. However, the India Meteorological Department has forecast rain and thunderstorms in all districts of south and north Bengal.
Modi, who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday on a two-day visit, will lead an 80-minute program titled ‘Yoga for Healthy Aging’, starting at 6:30 am.
“On behalf of the people of West Bengal, I extend a warm welcome to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @Narendramji on his visit to our vibrant state. We are delighted to have the Hon’ble Prime Minister join us to grace the auspicious occasion of ‘Pachimbanga Dibus’ and participate in the grand International Yoga Day celebrations,” Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Minister of West Bengal, wrote on X.
International Youth Day celebrations kicked off on Friday with a yoga tour at 11 locations in Kolkata, while a mega drone show featuring 3,000 drones is scheduled to take place on Saturday evening.
“The momentum has picked up over the last three-four days. There will be a carnival, a mega drone show, and yoga on 500 boats lined up on the Hooghly river. Modi will lead the celebrations. Yoga sessions are being organized in every building across the state. One million people are expected to practice yoga at various programs in Kolkata alone with the Prime Minister leading the parade from the Red Road,” a senior government official said.
Last-minute preparations were underway at Red Road, as workers put the finishing touches on the massive stage and installed gates for the event. The entire area is decorated with flags, posters and banners with the theme of International Yoga Day.
“The whole world is looking up to India and Modi ji. We are lucky that Modi ji is looking up to us. The entire city is gearing up to celebrate World Youth Day,” state minister Agnimitra Paul told the media.
Dilip Ghosh, Minister of State, said: “This is a change. Today yoga is being practiced in every home. People are participating in World Youth Day in millions. Earlier they could not do so.”
Meanwhile, in its forecast, the IMD said rain and thundershowers are likely to hit all districts of south and north Bengal on Sunday. The agency has issued a red alert for Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts, which may receive extremely heavy rains.
