Shilpa Shetty Credits PM Modi for Yoga’s Global Recognition

Kalpana Kanungo - Mumbai Bureau Jun 21, 2026 2,000 Views

Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 12th International Day of Yoga, crediting his administration for establishing yoga’s global recognition. Shetty urged citizens to support the Fit India Movement, framing the practice as an essential lifestyle routine aligned with this year’s official policy focus on healthy aging.

MUMBAI, India - Actor and prominent wellness advocate Shilpa Shetty Kundra has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving the global recognition of yoga and establishing it at the forefront of public health discourse. Speaking to reporters on June 21, 2026, during the 12th annual International Day of Yoga, Shetty lauded the government's persistent efforts to popularize the ancient Indian discipline across international borders and urged the nation to actively fulfill the prime minister's vision of a healthier society.

This development arrives as millions of practitioners participate in synchronized fitness demonstrations worldwide. With the central government leveraging diplomatic channels to promote wellness, endorsement from prominent fitness icons like Shetty reinforces the state-backed push to integrate ancient wellness systems into modern preventative healthcare frameworks.

Fulfilling the Vision of the Fit India Movement

Shetty, a long-time practitioner who has consistently released instructional materials and digital wellness content, highlighted how official state patronage altered the global perception of the practice. She emphasized that the structural support provided by the central government converted a traditional exercise form into a modern lifestyle standard.

The actress noted that public participation is vital to sustaining the institutional momentum generated by official wellness campaigns. Pointing directly to federal healthcare policy, she stated that the responsibility now rests on citizens to convert administrative initiatives into a nationwide societal habit.

Other key figures from the entertainment sector echoed these statements during concurrent regional events:

Suniel Shetty underscored the importance of daily breathing routines and behavioral consistency across all age groups to combat rising anxiety levels.
Neil Nitin Mukesh highlighted the role of self-discipline and mental fitness in helping the country's youth manage modern economic and social pressures.

Institutional Background and the 2026 Focus

The 2026 International Day of Yoga centers on the official theme, "Yoga for Healthy Ageing." The policy focus addresses demographic shifts associated with increasing life expectancy, emphasizing emotional resilience, active physical aging, and long-term dignity for senior populations.

The global event originates from a 2014 proposal introduced by India at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), which established June 21 as an official international annual observance. For the 2026 national broadcast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Kolkata to lead collective protocol sessions at the historic Red Road site, while coordinated celebrations occurred across approximately 2,500 locations globally through more than 210 Indian diplomatic missions.

Official Sources Section

According to official dispatches from the Ministry of Ayush, public health protocols have been successfully integrated with urban municipal corporations to optimize community outreach. State deployment records confirm that Shetty is scheduled to headline a major public wellness gathering in Gurugram, leading live demonstrations to promote structured lifestyle methodologies.

Quote Section

"Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided that he will give importance to yoga. The recognition that yoga has received in today's times, it is because of him. I would like to thank him for this," Shetty stated. "The movement of Fit India that he started, that dream, we have to make it come true."

Why It Matters

The mainstream alignment of cultural figures with federal health initiatives highlights a growing public-private synergy in preventative medicine. By encouraging the adoption of behavioral fitness over purely reactive pharmaceutical care, the initiative aims to alleviate long-term burdens on public healthcare infrastructure, reduce corporate absenteeism, and establish wellness tourism as an economic asset for local hospitality and wellness industries.

Key Facts at a Glance

Political Backing: Shilpa Shetty formally credited PM Modi for elevating yoga from an indigenous practice to a global lifestyle standard.
Core Campaign: The actress emphasized collective civil responsibility in realizing the core objectives of the national Fit India Movement.
2026 Theme: The official designated framework for this year’s international event is "Yoga for Healthy Ageing."
Global Scale: Public demonstrations spanned roughly 2,500 global centers, managed in part by 210 external Indian diplomatic missions.

FAQ Section

Q: What is the Fit India Movement mentioned by Shilpa Shetty? A: Launched by the Government of India, the Fit India Movement is a national campaign aimed at encouraging citizens to integrate physical activity, sports, and healthy practices like yoga into their daily lives to prevent lifestyle-related disorders.

Q: Where did the primary national event for the 2026 International Day of Yoga take place? A: The main national observance and public mass demonstration for 2026 were led by the Prime Minister at Red Road in Kolkata.

Q: Why focuses on 'Healthy Ageing' for the current year? A: The theme was selected by organizing bodies to highlight the scientific benefits of low-impact physical movement in increasing the quality of life, preserving mobility, and improving mental health among aging populations globally.