PM Modi to mark Paschimbanga Divas, lead Yoga Day events in Kolkata

Kolkata: First time after the oath taking ceremony in Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in ‘Paschimbanga Divas’ celebrations at Tarakeswar in Hooghly district on Saturday. He will lead the International Yoga Day on Sunday as he is on a two-day visit to Kolkata on 20-21 June. The Prime Minister will launch, dedicate to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 18,880 crore in West Bengal and address his first public programme today, since the BJP government came to power.

Paschimbanga Diwas celebrations at Tarakeswar are associated with historical significance with Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee. The theme for this year’s Paschimbanga Divas: “West Bengal: Heritage, Harmony and Development,” reflecting Bengal’s cultural richness and heritage.

During the programme, the Prime Minister will launch and lay the foundation of various projects in sectors like railways, agriculture, rural development, fisheries and animal husbandry to strengthen infrastructure, improve livelihoods, enhance farmer welfare and accelerate socio-economic development across the state.


On 21 June, at around 6:30 AM, Modi will participate in the 12th International Yoga Day celebration in Kolkata.

The Prime Minister will address the gathering and participate in the Common Yoga Protocol session along with thousands of Yoga practitioners. The theme of International Day of Yoga 2026, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”, highlights the role of Yoga in promoting physical health, mental well-being, emotional resilience and active ageing

Later, Prime Minister will commission three indigenously designed and built naval ships - INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak and INS Agray at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata at around 9:15 AM. He will also address the gathering on the occasion.

Paschimbango Diwas
In a bid to celebrate Paschimbanga Divas (West Bengal Foundation Day), the Hooghly Cultural Yoga Carnival will be organized along the riverfront. Iconic locations such as Princep Ghat, Millennium Park and other ghats along the Hooghly River will be transformed into vibrant corridors of culture and yoga heritage.

The carnival will feature painting and photography competitions, live folk and classical music performances, traditional dance performances of West Bengal, Interactive yoga installations, Selfie points and public engagement hubs.

River-logo installations

A grand sand sculpture on the banks of the Hooghly will celebrate the legacy of yoga and Bengal's cultural heritage while paying tribute to five great Yoga masters through dedicated tribute panels.

Yoga-Themed City Illumination

Kolkata will witness a unique transformation through special city-wide illumination and bridge lighting, creating a spectacular Yoga-themed visual experience. For one evening, the City of Joy will symbolically emerge as the Yoga Capital of India.

Mega Drone Show

Around 3,000 Drones will be engaged to narrate a spectacular aerial story of the river Ganga and the lotus. Five Yoga Gurus will be paid tribute from the sky. There will be an aerial sequence portraying the Prime Minister's global journey. A Yoga Puja logo will also be illuminated in the sky.