Modi launches 'Fit India Movement', says success has no elevator
With the hope of bringing behavioral changes in the citizens of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the "Fit India Movement" from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Speaking at the event, he advocated for a healthy body and mind. He said success has no elevator, only stairs and added that despite no investment in fitness the returns are remarkable.
The government chose an important day to kickstart this movement. Today is the National Sports Day, observed on the birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Remembering the iconic sportsperson, PM Modi 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."
PM Modi, who himself is a fitness enthusiast, stressed on a healthy lifestyle. Hinting that technology made people lazier, he said, "Till a few decades ago, a normal person used to walk 8-10 kilometers in a day. Then gradually technology changed, modern means came and people reduced their walking habit." But he added the same technology does tell you how much you have walked.
"Today, many lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension are increasing. You will find many people suffering from them. Earlier we used to hear that risk of heart attack increases after the age of 50-60, now the youth of 35-40 years are getting heart attacks," he said.
Further, he said that a couple of lifestyle changes can help one put diseases at bay. In an attempt to "inspire" people, he also added that success and fitness are interlinked. "Take any field today, look at your icons, see their success stories, whether they are in sports, films, business, most of them are fit. This is not just a coincidence," he underlined.
Encouraging countrymen to take health seriously, PM Modi said, "There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs." He said the government may have started the Fit India Movement, but the citizens have to lead it. "I can say from my personal experiences that there is zero investment in it, but the returns are unlimited," he went on.
Spent some time with these wonder women at the St. Anthony's Old Age Home, felt blessed by the love shown by them. Their excitement to play carrom knew no bounds.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 29, 2019
As rightly said by our Hon. PM Shri @narendramodi, SPORTS FITNESS IS FOR ALL.#SportPlayingNation#FitIndiaMovement pic.twitter.com/XF78o2x5yk
Notably, PM Modi's speech was live-streamed in schools and colleges across the nation. On Wednesday, the University Grants Commission (UGC) asked higher institutions to urge staff to walk 10,000 steps daily. Interestingly, more than 11 ministries will "manage" the movement in coordination with one another for better outreach. These include Sports Ministry, HRD ministry, Panchayati Raj Ministry, Rural Development Ministry etc.
