Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi Highlights Yoga as a Scientific Health Tool on International Yoga Day
Gathering of wellness advocates, healthcare experts and community leaders to highlight yoga’s role in promoting healthy and active ageing
Describing yoga as “a scientific tool” that helps achieve balance of bodily, mental and emotional functions, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, Former Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Science & Technology, Government of India, called for embracing India’s ancient wellness traditions to build healthier individuals and societies while addressing the International Day of Yoga 2026 celebrations organised by the Illness to Wellness Foundation in New Delhi.
Held on the theme “Yoga for Healthy Ageing,” the event brought together distinguished delegates, diplomats, ambassadors from various countries, corporate leaders, wellness practitioners, healthcare advocates and yoga enthusiasts to celebrate yoga as a holistic approach to preventive healthcare and healthy living. The programme focused on the growing need to shift from illness-centric healthcare towards wellness-oriented lifestyles as societies across the world grapple with rising lifestyle disorders, stress, chronic diseases and rapidly ageing populations.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Joshi emphasized that yoga transcends religion, politics and dogma, serving instead as a universal philosophy that nurtures compassion, cooperation and peace while enabling individuals to achieve harmony within themselves and with nature.
"Yoga is not a religion, a political movement, or dogma. It is a way of bringing harmony within diversity. It respects all cultures, creeds and nations. Yoga is a scientific tool, pleasant and enjoyable, which can help achieve balance of bodily, mental and emotional functions. If practised conscientiously, it uplifts the mind and emotions, raises consciousness and brings us into harmony with the whole of nature," he said.
Addressing the occasion, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, Advisory Council, Illness to Wellness Foundation, said, "Today, Yoga is practised in more than 200 countries by hundreds of millions of people. This is not merely the global spread of a wellness practice; it is the global acceptance of an ancient civilizational insight. At a time when the world is searching for sustainable models of health and wellbeing, this holistic approach offers valuable insights. It reminds us that longevity without vitality is not enough; the true measure of progress is the ability to lead healthy, purposeful and fulfilling lives. Yoga offers a practical and time-tested pathway to meet this challenge."
Mr. Rajput emphasized that healthy ageing is no longer merely a healthcare objective but a societal imperative that requires a shift towards prevention, awareness and sustainable lifestyle
choices. He noted that yoga embodies India’s holistic understanding of health, where physical vitality, mental clarity and emotional well-being are viewed as interconnected dimensions of a fulfilling life, making it an effective tool for addressing the health challenges of the modern world.
The programme also highlighted the increasing global acceptance of yoga and its growing role in preventive healthcare. Participants discussed how regular yoga practice contributes to improved mobility, flexibility, cardiovascular health, emotional resilience and overall quality of life, while reinforcing the importance of integrating wellness practices into daily routines and community health initiatives.
Adding a practical dimension to the celebration, participants took part in a power-packed yoga session led by Dr. Tanu Singh, Founder, LifeYoga, who guided attendees through a series of asanas, breathing techniques and movements designed to improve strength, flexibility, posture and overall vitality. The session demonstrated how yoga can be easily incorporated into everyday life to promote long-term wellness and healthy ageing.
The event also featured a guided meditation session by Mr. Santosh Kumar, Founder and President, Santosh Yoga Foundation, who introduced participants to mindfulness and meditation practices aimed at reducing stress, enhancing emotional balance and cultivating inner peace. The session reinforced the message that holistic wellness extends beyond physical fitness to include mental and emotional well-being.
Concluding the celebration, Dr. Rashmi Saluja, Chairperson, GTTCI (Global Federation), Kuldhara Investment Pvt. Ltd. and Forward Edge – AI India Pvt. Ltd., expressed her gratitude to the distinguished guests, wellness practitioners and participants for coming together to celebrate India's rich yoga heritage and shared commitment to holistic well-being. She emphasized that collective efforts and greater awareness around yoga and meditation can play a transformative role in advancing preventive healthcare, healthy ageing and building a healthier, more resilient society.
The event reaffirmed the Illness to Wellness Foundation’s commitment to promoting preventive healthcare, holistic wellness and healthy lifestyle practices through dialogue, awareness and community engagement. By encouraging individuals to embrace yoga not merely as an annual observance but as a way of life, the Foundation continues to champion a transition from illness-focused healthcare towards a wellness-oriented approach that empowers people to lead healthier, happier and more purposeful lives.
Got a story that Healthcare Executive should dig into? Shoot it over to arunima.rajan@hosmac.com—no PR fluff, just solid leads.