Indians stretch, breathe and balance to mark International Day of Yoga
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Indians stretch, breathe and balance to mark International Day of Yoga
Trump booed and cheered as he took his seat for the opening night of ‘Les Misérables’ It was his first time attending a show there since becoming president. Trump promised to overhaul its programming, management and even appearance as part of an effort to put his stamp on the national arts scene. The White House has taken steps to cancel millions of dollars in federal grants to arts and culture groups, and has proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowments for the National Museum of the Arts and the Smithsonian. The president said he wasn’t bothered by anyone skipping “Les Mis’’ cast members, but Trump said he couldn”t care less about anyone skipping the performance. The Republican president has a particular affection for the sprawling musical set in 19th-century France and has occasionally played its songs at his events, including “Do You Hear the People Sing?” One of them is a revolutionary rallying cry inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French king.
WASHINGTON: A tuxedo-wearing President Donald Trump was booed and cheered as he took his seat for the opening night of “Les Misérables” at the Kennedy Center, bringing his own dose of political drama to the theatrical production that was unfolding onstage.
It was his first time attending a show there since becoming president, reflecting his focus on remaking the institution in his image while asserting more control over the country’s cultural landscape.
“We want to bring it back, and we want to bring it back better than ever,” Trump said while walking down the red carpet with first lady Melania Trump.
The Republican president has a particular affection for “Les Misérables,” the sprawling musical set in 19th-century France, and has occasionally played its songs at his events. One of them, “Do You Hear the People Sing?,” is a revolutionary rallying cry inspired by the 1832 rebellion against the French king.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom noted Trump’s attendance at the musical and posted on social media, “Someone explain the plot to him.” Newsom, a Democrat, has been feuding with Trump over the president’s decision to send National Guard troops to respond to protests in Los Angeles over his deportation policies.
Opening night had a MAGA-does-Broadway feel. Ric Grenell, the Trump-appointed interim leader of the Kennedy Center, stood nearby as the president spoke to reporters. Attorney General Pam Bondi chatted with other guests. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took selfies with attendees. Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, were also there.
There were more precautions than usual, given the guest list, and ticketholders had their bags searched after walking through magnetometers. Canned soda was on sale for $8, while a glass of wine cost $19.
Terry Gee, a bartender, bought his ticket for the show in November and didn’t mind Trump’s presence. It’s his sixth time seeing “Les Misérables,” and he said, “I’m going to enjoy the show regardless.”
Hannah Watkins, a nurse, only learned that Trump would be there when the Kennedy Center distributed information about extra security and she searched online to see what was happening.
“I’ve seen a lot of famous people so far, which is exciting,” said Watkins, who had claimed a spot near the VIP entrance with her mother. “Honestly, we just like ‘Les Mis’ and are excited to be here.”
However, when the lights went down and the show began, there were empty seats in the balconies and even in the orchestra section.
Before Trump, presidential involvement in the Kennedy Center’s affairs had been limited to naming members to the board of trustees and attending the taping of its annual honors program in the fall.
But after returning to office in January, Trump stunned the arts world by firing the Kennedy Center’s longtime director and board and replacing them with loyalists, who then named him as chairman. Trump promised to overhaul its programming, management and even appearance as part of an effort to put his stamp on the national arts scene.
His latest moves have upset some of the center’s patrons and performers.
In March, the audience booed the Vances after they slipped into upper-level seats to hear the National Symphony Orchestra. Trump appointed Usha Vance to the Kennedy Center board along with Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Fox News Channel hosts Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham, among other supporters.
Sales of subscription packages are said to have declined since Trump’s takeover, and several touring productions, including “Hamilton,” have canceled planned runs at the center. Actor Issa Rae and musician Rhiannon Giddens scrapped scheduled appearances, and Kennedy Center consultants including musician Ben Folds and singer Renée Fleming resigned.
Understudies may have performed in some roles Wednesday night because of boycotts by “Les Misérables” cast members, but Trump said he wasn’t bothered by anyone skipping the performance.
“I couldn’t care less,” he said.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has adopted a more aggressive posture toward the arts. The White House has taken steps to cancel millions of dollars in previously awarded federal humanities grants to arts and culture groups, and Trump’s budget blueprint proposed eliminating the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Trump has also targeted Smithsonian museums by signing executive orders to restrict their funding and by attempting to fire the director of the National Portrait Gallery.
Trump characterized previous programming at the Kennedy Center as “out of control with rampant political propaganda” and said it featured “some very inappropriate shows,” including a “Marxist anti-police performance” and “lesbian-only Shakespeare.”
The Kennedy Center, which is supported by government money and private donations, opened in 1971 and for decades has been seen as an apolitical celebration of the arts.
It was first conceived in the late 1950s during the administration of Republican President Dwight Eisenhower, who backed a bill from the Democratic-led Congress calling for a National Culture Center. In the early 1960s, Democratic President John F. Kennedy launched a fundraising initiative, and his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson, signed into law a 1964 bill renaming the project the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Kennedy had been assassinated the year before.
In pictures: Modi leads record attempt as India marks International Day of Yoga
The United Nations first adopted 21 June as International Yoga Day in 2014 after a proposal by India was unanimously supported by the General Assembly. The date was chosen to coincide with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, considered an auspicious time. In India, large events were held in every state and union territory, with prime minister Narendra Modi leading the main celebration from Visakhapatnam. Indian military personnel also took part in Yoga Day celebrations, performing yoga on the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas and aboard naval ships in the Bay of Bengal. In London, the Indian High Commission held a public yoga session on the Strand in collaboration with King’s College London, where high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami read out a special message from King Charles III. The theme of this year’s day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations.
In India, large events were held in every state and union territory, with prime minister Narendra Modi leading the main celebration from Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
The beachfront yoga session, held along a 28km stretch of the city’s coastline, aimed to double the previous Guinness World Record for the largest yoga lesson – set in Gujarat on this day two years ago at 147,952 participants. Andhra Pradesh’s chief minister claimed 303,000 people attended on Saturday morning, though the final official tally was yet to be confirmed by Guinness World Records.
Indian military personnel also took part in Yoga Day celebrations, performing yoga on the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas and aboard naval ships in the Bay of Bengal.
Border Security Force personnel on the International Day of Yoga, at the India-Pakistan border post at Wagah (AFP via Getty Images)
A girl performs yoga on the roof of an apartment on International Day of Yoga in Hyderabad (AP)
The United Nations first adopted 21 June as International Yoga Day in 2014 after a proposal by India was unanimously supported by the General Assembly. The date was chosen to coincide with the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, considered an auspicious time.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Modi shared photos and video from the celebrations at Visakhapatnam.
Highlights from today’s Yoga Day programme in Visakhapatnam…
Urging you all to make Yoga a part of your daily lives. You’ll see how transformative it is! pic.twitter.com/4LECTGnWjh — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 21, 2025
Narendra Modi performs yoga in Vishakhapatnam (via REUTERS)
Yoga enthusiasts participate in a yoga session organised by the High Commission of India at Independence Square in Colombo, Sri Lanka (EPA)
“Unfortunately, today the entire world is going through some tension. Unrest and instability have been increasing in many regions. In such times, yoga gives us the direction of peace. Yoga is the pause button that humanity needs to breathe, balance, and become whole again,” he said in his address.
Officials in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district held a special session held at the recently inaugurated Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge.
#WATCH | J&K: In a blend of nature, engineering marvel, and wellness, the District Administration Reasi today celebrated #InternationalDayofYoga by organising a special Yoga session at the world’s highest railway bridge — the iconic Chenab Rail Bridge.
The event witnessed… pic.twitter.com/SQyUDan4Gw — ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2025
In London, the Indian High Commission held a public yoga session on the Strand in collaboration with King’s College London, where high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami read out a special message from King Charles III.
🧘♀️ The 11th #InternationalDayOfYoga was celebrated today at the iconic Strand, London!
Yoga enthusiasts gathered for open and free yoga session hosted by @HCI_London & @KingsCollegeLon under this year’s theme: “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” #IDY2025… pic.twitter.com/ga3Yugjrfe — India in the UK (@HCI_London) June 20, 2025
“The theme of this year’s day, Yoga for One Earth, One Health, reminds us how vitally important it is that the world comes together to secure a happy and healthy future for present and future generations,” read the King’s message from Buckingham Palace.
“Year on year, Yoga is increasing in popularity across the United Kingdom, with millions of people in our country reaping its benefits.
“Yoga is a powerful means of enabling anyone to improve their physical and mental health and fosters a sense of wellbeing and togetherness within communities,” he said.
Indians perform yoga to mark International Day of Yoga at a playground in Guwahati (AP)
A girl performs yoga on top of a parked car to celebrate International Day of Yoga in Ahmedabad (AP)
Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor takes part in a yoga session in Mumbai (AFP via Getty Images)
A mother performs yoga with her infant in Lodhi Gardens, in New Delhi (EPA)
CGI New York, in collaboration with @TimesSquareNYC, hosted a vibrant Yoga Session at the iconic Crossroads of the World – Times Square!
Here are a few more glimpses from this energizing celebration of wellness and unity. #YogaforOneEarthOneHealth@MEAIndia @AnupamPKher… pic.twitter.com/qseeKAP5Hg — India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) June 20, 2025
In New York, the Consulate General of India organised a large public yoga session at Times Square, drawing locals, tourists, and yoga practitioners to the heart of Manhattan. Held in collaboration with Times Square NYC, the event transformed the iconic intersection into an open-air yoga studio, where hundreds of participants performed asanas beneath towering billboards.
Indians stretch, breathe and balance to mark International Day of Yoga
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