Bengal to host marathons, 3000 drones show & more as CM Suvendu announces 3-day mega Yoga Day schedule

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced an extensive three-day state-wide celebration to mark the 12th International Yoga Day. Speaking at a high-level press conference from Nabanna on Thursday, June 18, 2026, the Chief Minister outlined a sequence of public events designed to expand fitness awareness across all regional districts. Given the shift in the state's political administration, this year's festivities have been upgraded into a massive state-sponsored carnival, with multi-tiered coordination units supervising the structural and logistical layout of urban micro-zones.

The celebrations are scheduled to commence on Friday, June 19, with a massive state-wide "Run for Yoga" marathon. In Kolkata, the primary marathon route is scheduled to flag off from the front gates of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and culminate at the historic Writers' Buildings, with assemblies starting as early as 6:30 AM. Parallel marathon segments will simultaneously navigate eleven pre-designated sectors within the metropolitan perimeter. Chief Minister Adhikari confirmed that thousands of citizens have already finalized their institutional registrations, though he formally urged all participants to prioritize statutory health guidelines during the early morning runs.

The second phase of the itinerary coincides with West Bengal Day on Saturday, June 20, featuring a high-tech cultural exhibition titled "Vande Yogam" along the banks of the Hooghly River. Scheduled for 5:30 PM, the mega-event will leverage modern display technologies to transform the riverfront ecosystem. The state administration has sanctioned a synchronized aerial light show featuring 3,000 automated drones, which will illuminate the Kolkata skyline with yoga-themed choreography. The multi-day event will reach its grand finale on Sunday, June 21, during a massive congregation at Red Road, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will personally lead the central morning assembly.