Posted On:
13 NOV 2026 1:18PM by PIB Delhi
My Greetings to Everyone!
Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Sudha Yadav Ji, Sarkaryavah of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and our guide, Shri Dattatreya Hosabale Ji, President of S-VYASA, H. R. Nagendra Ji, Vice-President, Dr. R. Nagarathna Ji, Chancellor, H. R. Dayananda Swami Ji, Vice-Chancellor, Manjunath N. K. Ji, Member of Parliament, C. N. Manjunath Ji, Mayor of Miryang City, South Korea, other distinguished dignitaries present here, ladies and gentlemen!
Today, here in Bengaluru, I have the opportunity to experience the extraordinary energy of yoga. This land of Karnataka has been a centre of yoga for centuries. Many great yoga teachers and scholars were born here and have also enriched the tradition of yoga. We all know that the legendary Kannada cinema actor, Dr. Rajkumar Ji, was also among those who practised yoga and contributed to the world of art as well as to the field of yoga.
Friends,
Amidst this great legacy of Karnataka, the 50-year journey of Prashanti Kutiram is an extraordinary and unprecedented saga of service and dedication, which every Indian should know about. How an ordinary yoga centre transformed into such a large movement is, in itself, a source of inspiration.
Friends,
On this occasion, several new facilities have also been launched. I extend my best wishes to the S-VYASA family for these initiatives as well. I also congratulate all of you and the millions of practitioners associated with Prashanti Kutiram on its Golden Jubilee.
Friends,
Along with the Golden Jubilee of Prashanti Kutiram, we are also celebrating the birth centenary of the revered H. V. Seshadri Ji this year. I pay my respectful tributes to him. Seshadri Ji devoted his entire life to advancing the mission of ‘Nation Building through Individual Development’. He understood that if the country was to be taken to the pinnacle of success, it required dedicated, capable and disciplined citizens. Seshadri Ji devoted himself wholeheartedly to preparing such individuals. The goals he pursued while serving in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh continue to inspire crores of Swayamsevaks even today.
Friends,
Whenever we remember him, the first image that comes to mind is his simple personality. Dattaji has just described his simplicity in such wonderful words. Such a towering personality, such vast experience, and yet such humility in his conduct! To remain in the background while encouraging others to move forward, to bring people together and prepare them for the nation-this was the great discipline of his life. During conversations, he would often cite an example. He used to say that we should learn from the conduct of a mother. Just as a mother stays awake throughout the night to serve her child, nurtures the child and works selflessly for the child, if we extend this very sentiment to society, imagine how much society would benefit.
Friends,
With the same selflessness as a mother, Seshadri Ji remained devoted to serving society. And I have been fortunate to receive his affection and guidance continuously. The memories of the time spent with him and his words remain invaluable to me even today.
Friends,
There is another thing that Seshadri Ji used to say which I can never forget. He would say that if we give to society with both our hands, society gives back to us with millions of hands. I have personally witnessed this principle bearing fruit time and again in my own life. While serving the people, the Janata Janardan, the people have always showered their blessings upon me, and this is one of the greatest assets of my life.
Friends,
We also see the same spirit of service in Seshadri Ji's family. Dr. Nagendra Ji and Dr. Nagarathna Ji are carrying forward his mission through their work. I appreciate all their efforts and extend my congratulations to them as well.
Friends,
When the country was shackled by the chains of colonial rule, millions of freedom fighters were fighting for independence on one hand, while on the other, great sages of the nation like Swami Vivekananda were awakening India's spiritual consciousness and showing the path of yoga to the youth of India.
Friends,
The inspiration drawn from sages like Swami Vivekananda gave rise to institutions such as Prashanti Kutiram. Here, an initiative was undertaken not only to connect yoga with the masses, but also to conduct new research by putting it to the test of modern science. This institution has not merely produced yoga practitioners; it has also prepared trainers and philosophers for society. These teachers, doctors and researchers are serving people across the country and the world through yoga. S-VYASA, which evolved from Prashanti Kutiram, has become an important institution in the fields of yoga education, scientific research and healthcare services. Along with yoga, you have also developed a holistic wellness ecosystem comprising facilities related to Ayurveda, naturopathy and modern medical science. The research work undertaken in areas such as stress-related challenges and lifestyle diseases has served the entire world. I commend Prashanti Kutiram for these efforts.
Friends,
Over the past 12 years, India has been presenting its culture, identity and knowledge systems to the world with complete confidence, and I say this with a sense of responsibility, with complete confidence. One outcome of this is that, at India's initiative, the entire world now celebrates International Yoga Day. On the occasion of Yoga Day, programmes related to yoga are organised across the world, from Australia to Africa and America. Crores of people participate in them. Today, in many countries across the world, yoga has reached our schools, institutions and workplaces. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, yoga has been recognised as a sporting activity. The Sports Ministry there has entered into an agreement with India's Ministry of AYUSH to promote yoga. We are continuously witnessing examples of foreign nationals promoting yoga. And I have personally experienced this. Wherever I travel across the world, during lunch or dinner, when I sit with foreign guests or Heads of State, there is hardly any lunch or dinner where yoga does not come up in the conversation. Earlier, I had to explain to them that I am not a yoga expert, but a practitioner. I then tell them about its various benefits, and they ask numerous questions. I have met many world leaders who tell me that their wives visit India once a year to learn yoga and teach yoga there. Some tell me that their daughters are learning yoga, while others say that their daughters have dedicated themselves to yoga. In the families of some of the world's most prominent Heads of State, there is someone or the other associated with yoga. This shows how far India has reached through yoga. It seems that yoga has become a gateway to understanding India. I have also seen foreign nationals, whether from the Royal Family of Qatar or from elsewhere, who are completely dedicated to yoga. India has also honoured many such individuals with the Padma Shri, thereby enhancing their prestige.
Friends,
As people across the world become more familiar with yoga, their curiosity to know India also grows. A new attraction develops towards our culture and traditional knowledge systems. This opens up a new avenue of engagement between India and the world. And all this has been made possible through our collective efforts. If I talk about Ayurveda, more than 150 Ayurveda training courses have been recognised in different countries across the world. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with 28 countries to facilitate cooperation in the expansion of Ayurveda.
Friends,
Our endeavour is to ensure that the benefits of Ayurveda and yoga reach every citizen of the country. Today, holistic healthcare has emerged as a new global movement. As a result, there is a natural attraction towards Ayurveda and naturopathy.
And friends,
When there is such excellence and enthusiasm all around, alongside promoting and propagating yoga, we have also made several changes to rules as per the requirements. In India, Yogasana has also been recognised as a competitive sport. New opportunities have been created for Yogasana in events such as Khelo India and the National Games. These changes are very significant for India. Just a few days ago, an international yoga competition was held in Ahmedabad. And I was amazed. When I visited Uzbekistan, they had secured the number one position in the world, and they had gathered all the winners and gold medallists there, who were citizens of that country. This shows that wherever I go, I see and meet people, yoga has become a subject of discussion everywhere. This has also opened up avenues for those associated with yoga to participate in competitive events.
Friends,
Just as with yoga, the Government of India is continuously promoting Ayurveda as well. There are many things in our country that do not receive the attention they deserve, even from well-informed people, including those who have an interest in these subjects. After so many years of independence, for the first time, a separate Ministry of AYUSH was established in the country. We have encouraged research related to Ayurveda and patents based on Ayurveda. And today, we are witnessing the results of these efforts. Exports of AYUSH and herbal products from India are continuously increasing. The economy associated with the AYUSH sector has grown to several lakh crore rupees. Our turmeric which Indian families have been using for generations in their food habits and household traditions, is now witnessing growing demand across the world. India is exporting turmeric in quantities that were once beyond imagination. Its exports have been continuously increasing. We have also established the National Turmeric Board to give a new impetus to the production, quality and exports of turmeric.
Friends,
We must also share the benefits of our ancient sciences and modern research with humanity and also realise the opportunities associated with these fields for our youth. With this objective, the Government has introduced the facility of an e-Ayush Visa. This is making it easier for people from abroad to come to India for treatment. The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine has been established in Jamnagar. Through this centre, research and international cooperation in traditional medicine are being promoted.
Friends,
Today, 140 crore citizens of the country are working continuously with a shared goal. And that goal is to build a Viksit Bharat! The latest World Bank report has given a new impetus to this mission. The World Bank report states that over the past 12–13 years, nearly 50 crore Indians-this is a very significant figure-have been lifted out of extreme poverty. New opportunities for a better life now lie ahead of these millions of families. The possibilities of adopting a healthy lifestyle and paying attention to their family's health have increased. Our endeavour is to make a healthy lifestyle a priority for every family. Yoga can play a very significant role in this, and I always say that yoga liberates us from diseases, and yoga also liberates us from indulgence. Moreover, it is the most effective health remedy that comes at zero cost. Prashanti Kutiram is part of this mission, and several new initiatives are also being undertaken by the institution. It has also been extending its support. Their contribution has been very valuable to this work. Therefore, I would like you to start preparing a roadmap for new goals from now onwards. Since I have come here, I will also entrust Dr. Nagendra Ji with a few tasks before I leave. Dr. Nagendra Ji has, in fact, written to me in a letter just a few days ago that he feels younger than ever before. And therefore, his youthful energy will benefit Prashanti Kutiram as well as the nation. However, I would like you to ensure that when Prashanti Kutiram completes 75 years, the country would have become a Viksit Bharat. So, keeping this vision of a Viksit Bharat in mind, start planning now for what your next 25 years should look like, and dedicate yourselves to this mission, so that the path you follow also contributes to strengthening the nation, and your journey towards the 75th year of Prashanti Kutiram, your next 25-year journey, also becomes a source of strength for a Viksit Bharat. I urge you all to think in this direction. With this conviction, I once again extend my congratulations to all of you on the Golden Jubilee celebrations. I also once again bow in reverence at the feet of the revered Seshadri Ji. Thank you very much to all of you!
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s address. Original address was delivered in Hindi.
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