Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Fit India Movement' at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday. Launching the Fit India Movement, the PM said, "My wishes to you all on National Sports Day. It was on this day that India got a sports star like Major Dhyan Chand who left the world spell-bound."
In his inimitable style, Modi spoke of how we needed to look at India's icons and ape their fitness, "Look at all your icons. They are all fit. There is one thing that is common in all of them — their belief on staying fit. Whatever be your profession — from the boardroom to Bollywood — you need to be fit, mentally and physically. Body fit hai toh mind hit hai (If your body is fit, your mind is hit)," said the PM as the crowd erupted in applause. "I give you an example of how times have changed. Till a few decades ago, a normal person used to walk 8-10 kilometres in a day. Then gradually technology changed, modern means came and people reduced their walking habit. What is the situation now? Technology has made us walk less now and the same technology tells us by a number that today you walked so many steps, five thousand steps have not been done yet, two thousand steps have not been done, let's go now," he added.
The globality of it all was not lost. "It is not just in India that we need campaigns like this. China has launched 'Healthy China 2030' and already have a set timetable to achieve this target. Australia, United Kingdon, USA and Germany are some other examples. We need everyone to be fit. I do not want to spend on curing diseases rather spend on your development and the country's development. You need a goal. Once there is a goal you will not be lazy anymore and will be focused," said PM Modi. "All you need is the passion to be healthy — you will not even touch things that will harm your body. There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs. And you will be able to climb the stair only if you are fit," added the PM. His address was light-hearted and filled with anecdotes that kept the audience laughing.
Talking about lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, the PM said that they are increasing in India. "Look around you, you will find many people suffering from them. Earlier we used to hear that the risk of heart attack increases after the age of 50-60, now the youth of 35-40 years are getting heart attacks," he said. "Lifestyle diseases are happening due to lifestyle disorders. Lifestyle disorders can be cured by making lifestyle changes. There are diseases that can be overcome by making small changes in your lifestyle. The name is to inspire the country for these changes Fit India Movement," he added.
Take a pledge, the Prime Minister said, to be conscious about fitness and spread awareness among you neighbour and friends, "If I am fit India will be fit should be your pledge." A 28-member committee formed for this movement, helmed by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju, consists of government representatives from sports, secondary education, Ayush, youth affairs, members of Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports bodies, private bodies and fitness promoters including actors Shilpa Shetty and Milind Soman, who were also present at the event.
