Yoga, an ancient Indian art and science of living, is not only changing people's lives by becoming a path of peace and fitness, but also is emerging as a great soft power for India to spread its influence and cultural outreach throughout the world. The term yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to join or unite, and it's literally joining Indian culture with other cultures. The very impact of having this leverage is now also at the mouth of the Ayush Secretary.Ahead of the International Day of Yoga on June 21, Ayush Secretary, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, unraveled his thoughts on the global impact of yoga as India's soft power tool. He also emphasized Yoga's role as preventive healthcare.Kotecha said, "Yoga has emerged as one of India's most powerful instruments of cultural outreach and global soft power." He added, "Its acceptance in over 190 countries reflects its universal relevance beyond geography, language, and culture. In the coming decade, yoga is expected to play a greater role in promoting preventive healthcare, mental wellness, and holistic living globally."Kotecha also talks about his thoughts and official approach towards Yoga. He explained that, as non-communicable diseases, stress-related illnesses, and mental health disorders are rising in numbers, the use of Yoga as a prevention-focused model will be crucial, and as part of this approach, the ministry has also brought forth a "Yoga Protocol for Non-Communicable Diseases and Target Groups". This protocol is based on scientific research and clinical evidence.The Ministry Of Ayush Has Launched The Yoga 365 CampaignAs the International Day of Yoga is approaching soon, the Ministry of Ayush has launched “Yoga 365”, which is a nationwide campaign to promote yoga from a once-a-year celebration into a daily practice. This huge initiative was revealed at the launch of Yoga Mahotsav–2026 at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, said the campaign aims to leverage the global success of the International Day of Yoga by encouraging consistent daily engagement with yoga.What's New This Year's International Day of YogaThis year's celebration of the International Day of Yoga will mark its 12th anniversary and will center around the theme of "Yoga for Wellness, Wisdom & World Peace". Other than the Yoga 365 Campaign, this year's Yoga Day celebration is also coming with massive emphasis on Therapeutic Protocols and a focus on promoting yoga with digital platforms and the use of AI tools. Along with that, other initiatives like mass demonstrations, "Golden Warrior" walks, and synchronized sessions across public spaces and specialized institutes aim to bring communities together.