PM Modi Lauds Yoga on Chenab Bridge, Hails Amarnath Yatra Ahead of July 3 Start

SRINAGAR: In his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio address on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s contributions to the International Yoga Day celebrations and expressed his best wishes for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, set to commence on July 3, coinciding with the onset of the holy month of Sawan.

Prime Minister made a special mention of yoga being performed on the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, calling it a “grand glimpse” of the spread and spirit of yoga. “The snowy peaks of the Himalayas and ITBP soldiers… yoga was seen there too; courage and sadhana were hand in hand,” Modi said, reflecting on the powerful symbolism of yoga in a region often associated with geopolitical tensions.

He noted how the Yoga Day celebration had grown in scale and influence since its inception a decade ago, with crores of people participating this year, both in India and across major cities around the world. “Every image from Yoga Day had one thing in common — peace, stability, and balance,” he said, highlighting the year’s theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.

Turning to pilgrimage, Modi underlined the significance of spiritual yatras, not only as acts of devotion but as expressions of public service and communal harmony. “From North to South, East to West, these yatras reflect the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat,” he said. He welcomed the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and noted the start of the Amarnath Yatra as part of India’s rich religious and cultural traditions.

While not delving into specific security arrangements, the Prime Minister acknowledged the critical support offered by thousands of volunteers and service providers who ensure the smooth and safe conduct of such yatras, including langars, medical camps, and shelter facilities.

As part of his larger message, Modi also called on citizens to participate in environmental campaigns and social initiatives across India. But it was his reference to yoga in Jammu and Kashmir and the upcoming Amarnath pilgrimage that marked a moment of visibility for the region, which has otherwise remained in the backdrop of national discourse.