14-03-2025:Address of the Hon’ble Governor on the Occasion of the International Yoga Festival at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh

Jai Hind! Namo Gange!

Whenever a seeker arrives in Rishikesh—this sacred land nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and on the holy banks of Mother Ganga—they do not merely experience a place. Rather, they connect with a profound spiritual consciousness that has guided humanity for thousands of years.

It gives me immense joy and deep emotion to see seekers, yoga masters, ambassadors, and young students from more than 80 countries gathered together at this magnificent International Yoga Festival organized at Parmarth Niketan, located on the pristine banks of Mother Ganga in the sacred land of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. I warmly welcome and extend my heartfelt greetings to all the yogis present at this global gathering.

The scene before us today is truly inspiring. People from diverse cultures and nations have come together on these sacred banks of the Ganga to spread the message of humanity’s welfare through yoga and spiritual practice. This clearly shows that yoga is not confined by boundaries; it is the shared heritage of all humanity.

The core message of India’s eternal culture has always been “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” — the world is one family. Yoga is the living expression of this great philosophy. It connects individuals with individuals, societies with societies, and ultimately the entire human race with the Supreme Consciousness. It is a form of global connectivity that dissolves boundaries and unites souls. Yoga is not only India’s heritage; it is a necessity for all humanity.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says:
“Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam” — Yoga is the art of performing every action in life with balance and excellence.

Maharishi Patanjali defined yoga as:
“Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodhah” — Yoga is the practice through which the restless fluctuations of the mind are restrained, allowing a person to experience inner peace.

Uttarakhand is not merely a state; it is a sacred land of penance. Every particle of its soil is infused with yoga and meditation. Lord Shiva, revered as the Adiyogi, performed his spiritual practices here and teaches us how to remain calm and steady even amidst challenges. As a soldier, the patience and courage I learned at the borders are also rooted somewhere in that same yogic concentration and discipline.

These are the very Himalayas where Maharishi Ved Vyasa compiled the Vedas and Puranas, where Adi Shankaracharya revived the Sanatan tradition, and where countless sages performed penance for the welfare of humanity. Seeing seekers from across the world gathered on these sacred banks of the Ganga today feels as though the ancient spiritual traditions of the Himalayas are still guiding humanity.

Today’s world is changing rapidly. Science and technology have brought many conveniences to human life, but they have also introduced challenges such as stress, anxiety, and lifestyle disorders. In such times, yoga has emerged as a path of hope and balance for humanity.

Yoga teaches us that along with external progress, inner balance is equally essential. It keeps the body healthy, the mind calm, and the soul awakened. Today, millions of people around the world have made yoga a part of their lives.

Thanks to the inspiring efforts of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 June as International Day of Yoga. This is a remarkable example of global respect for India’s ancient wisdom.

Today, yoga is practiced in almost every country in the world, spreading the message of health and peace for humanity. The International Yoga Festival organized at Parmarth Niketan is a celebration of this very global consciousness.

Revered Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj has not only made this place a matter of pride for Uttarakhand but has also established it as a global spiritual lighthouse. Everyone who comes here does not just practice yoga but also experiences India’s spiritual traditions and universal human values.

The Ganga Aarti here and the disciplined spiritual environment offer a direct experience of divinity. Swamiji’s vision of “Global Yoga for Global Peace” is one of the greatest needs of our time. Under his guidance, Parmarth Niketan has set an inspiring example of seva (service) and sadhana (spiritual practice).

Mother Ganga is not merely a river; she is the lifeline of our culture, faith, and civilization. These sacred banks remind us that harmony with nature is essential for the fulfillment of human life. At a time when the world faces environmental crises, yoga inspires us to live in balance with nature.

Today the world is talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI), but India has been sharing the wisdom of “Inner Intelligence” — Yoga for thousands of years. While technology simplifies the external world, yoga balances and awakens our inner consciousness. Just as a computer requires good software to function effectively, yoga is the finest “software” for a balanced and meaningful life.

Yoga is often limited to the idea of wellness, but in reality it is a journey toward self-realization. The Kathopanishad states that when the senses, mind, and intellect become perfectly balanced and steady, that is considered the highest state of yoga.

When a person conquers themselves, no challenge in the world remains too great. A soldier wins against external enemies, but a yogi wins over the disturbances within.

I am especially pleased to see young students from many countries participating in this festival. The youth are the future of every nation and society. When young people embrace yoga, discipline, and a balanced lifestyle, they not only remain healthy themselves but also guide society in a positive direction.

To the young students present here from different nations, I would like to say: you are the builders of the future. India is moving forward with the vision of becoming a developed nation and a guiding light for the world by 2047. In this journey, yoga will be our greatest strength. A healthy mind and body are the foundations of a strong nation.

Today the world is struggling with conflicts, mental stress, social imbalance, environmental crises, and divisions. Yoga shows us the path of coexistence, compassion, and harmony. When we practice pranayama, we inhale the very air that others exhale—this reminds us that we are all connected by the same life force.

The presence of ambassadors, yoga masters, and seekers from different countries here today shows that spirituality knows no boundaries. Spiritual consciousness elevates us beyond divisions and connects us with the broader vision of humanity.

Devbhoomi Uttarakhand has always welcomed the world with the tradition of “Atithi Devo Bhava” — the guest is like God. Every visitor here becomes a member of our family.

All the yogis present here are ambassadors of yoga. I am confident that when you return to your countries, you will carry with you not only memories but also the purity of Mother Ganga, the energy of yoga and spirituality, and the divine inspiration of the Himalayas.

Let us take a collective pledge to spread the message of yoga across the world—for peace, for humanity, and for the welfare of the entire planet.

In conclusion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Parmarth Niketan family, revered Swami Chidanand Saraswati Ji, respected Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati Ji, and all the organizers for the successful conduct of this International Yoga Festival.

Uttarakhand will always be ready to welcome you. Its mountains, rivers, and divine energy will always call you back. I firmly believe that when you return to your countries, you will spread the message of yoga, peace, and humanity even further and become ambassadors of harmony across the world.

I pray to Mahayogi Lord Shiva that your stay here be pleasant, inspiring, and spiritually enriching.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, Ma Kashchid Dukha Bhag Bhavet.

May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all witness goodness, and may none suffer.

The welfare of all beings—Lok Kalyan—is the ultimate goal of yoga and the true message of India.

With the prayer that peace, harmony, and well-being prevail throughout the world, I conclude my address.

Jai Hind!