PM Launches 'Fit India Movement' On National Sports Day. It's Time To Get In Shape Folks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched “Fit India Movement” which aims to encourage all citizens to inculcate a culture of fitness, on the occasion of National Sports Day.

Speaking at the launch event at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Stadium, PM Modi urged people to make fitness a part of their daily routine and raise awareness about it. “On this day a great sportsperson was born, Major Dhyan Chand. He amazed the world with his fitness, stamina, and hockey stick,” he said.

The Prime Minister will also administer a fitness pledge in his address, inviting all Indians to join in.

The Fit India campaign is supported by several national sports icons including World Badminton champion PV Sindhu, sprinter Hima Das along with celebrated wrestlers Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik.

“I am taking the pledge, are you guys ready to take the pledge,” PV Sindhu said, in a video released by Sports Authority of India on August 27, encouraging followers to take out some time every day to keep fit.

The Prime Minister had announced the launch of the campaign during his monthly radio address, “Mann Ki Baat” on August 25 and said he wanted to see his listeners fit and make them “fitness-conscious”. He had indicated that the fitness programme will have fixed goals.

At the vibrant ceremony, which included an event presenting India's dance and sports, PM Modi said technology is increasingly contributing to an inactive lifestyle.

"Fitness has always been an integral part of our culture. But there is indifference towards fitness issues now. A few decades back, a person would walk 8-10 km in a day, do cycling or run," Modi told the gathering.

"But with technology, physical activity has reduced. We walk less now and the same technology tells us that we are not walking enough," he added.

PM Modi also said that in India, a significant proportion of people were neglecting their health and fitness.

“Today, diabetes and other such lifestyle-related diseases are increasing in India and the situation is truly worrisome. But there is still a ray hope. By making small changes in one’s lifestyle, the situation can be improved.”?

“In our culture, there is great emphasis on fitness”, PM Modi said.

"Fitness has always been an integral part of our lives. Our ancestors have said only through good health that one could achieve success in all their tasks", PM Modi added.

Arrangements were made for wide viewing of the launch; University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked affiliated higher educational institutes to make arrangements for live viewing of the event by the students, faculty and staff

Institutes have also been instructed to prepare and implement an institutional fitness plan incorporating sports/exercises/physical activities for fitness, into the daily routine. UGC has also asked institutes to encourage every person to walk 10,000 steps on Thursday.

Fit India Movement is the latest among several other initiatives by the Prime Minister to promote fitness and health. PM is a well-known supporter of Yoga and has in the past attributed his fitness to regular yoga and breathing exercises.

Last year accepting the fitness challenge by Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, PM Modi had released the video of his exercise routine.