The Hypocrisy of International Yoga Day: A Closer Look at Goa's Environmental Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared this year’s International Yoga Day theme as ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’. This reflects a deep truth: the health of all beings and the planet are interconnected.

Yoga teaches that we are not isolated individuals but part of a larger ecosystem. As our awareness grows, we begin to care not only for ourselves but also for society, nature, and the Earth. Yoga, at its core, is a journey from ‘Me’ to ‘We’.

However, while this theme sounds noble on paper, it starkly contrasts with the actions of the BJP government. The hypocrisy is glaring. In Goa, for example, the environment, forests, hills, and wildlife are being systematically destroyed—enabled by an unholy alliance between the real estate sharks.

This is not unique to Goa; environmental degradation and pollution are widespread across India, posing serious threats to public health. Rivers are polluted, air quality is poor, and natural habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate.

Given this reality, it’s clear that International Yoga Day has been reduced to a politicized PR stunt—meant more to impress audiences than to reflect any genuine commitment to the principles of yoga or environmental stewardship. The gap between the rhetoric and the reality is a stark reminder of the need for genuine action and accountability in environmental policies.

While yoga practices can certainly promote individual and community health, they must be accompanied by concrete actions to protect and restore the environment. Only then can we truly honor the spirit of ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health’.