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The Embassy of India in Washington D.C., hosted the 12th International Day of Yoga (IDY) celebration on June 19, 2026, at the iconic Lincoln Memorial, drawing a large gathering of community members and yoga enthusiasts.
Welcoming participants, India’s Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, highlighted yoga’s enduring significance and its global appeal.
“Today, we are celebrating one of the great treasures of our civilization,” Ambassador Kwatra said, thanking community members for attending the event in large numbers.
“Many of us practice yoga individually every day, but when we come together to practice as one, its impact and the experience become many times greater. Once again, a very warm welcome to all of you,” he added.
Addressing the origins of the International Day of Yoga, Ambassador Kwatra recalled that the observance was established through a United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in 2014 following an initiative led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The resolution garnered the support of nearly 175 countries.
“We are celebrating it here today, although the International Day of Yoga is officially observed on June 21,” he noted.
Speaking to South Asian Herald about the strong turnout, Ambassador Kwatra praised the Indian diaspora for its continued engagement and support.
“Indian diaspora has been an enthusiastic participant in everything Indian. They are not just participants, they are actually huge supporters. They are actually a pillar of strength of everything that we as Embassy try to do here in promoting Indian interest, in promoting our bilateral relations,” he said.
The Ambassador added, “Today is no exception. They have turned up in very, very large numbers here, which is a matter of great joy for us.”
Among the attendees was former Lok Sabha Member of Parliament and BJP OBC Morcha National General Secretary, Sangam Lal Gupta.
He told South Asian Herald “I am pleased to participate in the event and would like to express my appreciation for the success and growth of the Indian American community in the United States.”
The yoga session was led by Jay Kalathil, founder of Mukhi Yoga, whose organization focuses on helping individuals achieve “physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.”
Kelle Jacobs, a young entrepreneur and yoga instructor, also conducted a session during the program.
Concluding the event, First Secretary (Press, Information & Culture) and SA to the Ambassador, Neha Singh, expressed gratitude to the sponsors on behalf of the Embassy.
Sponsors included Michael McCabe and Vikrum Mathur of the TATA team, Vivek Kumar Singh of the State Bank of India, Rahul Singh of HCL, and ICICI Bank.
Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of India, Namgya C. Khampa along with other Embassy officials also participated in the event.
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