Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Fit India Movement’ on the occasion of National Sports Day, on Thursday (August 29) which commemorates the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. The campaign aims to encourage the citizens of India to take up physical activity and to make fitness a daily habit.
During his latest “Mann Ki Baat”, PM Modi announced the launch of the movement and urged the people to support and take forward the initiative.
"On 29 August, on the occasion of National Sports Day, we will launch 'Fit India Movement' in the country. I want to see you fit and make you fitness-conscious," said the prime minister. The inauguration event of the movement took place at 10 am at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium complex in New Delhi.
The ceremony witnessed a colourful presentation of India’s indigenous art forms- martial arts, dances, gymnastics, yoga. Launching the ‘Fit India Movement’ on the National Sports Days or Rashtriya Khel Divas, PM Modi said, “It’s a day to congratulate all the athletes who are taking the tri-colour to new highs. Be it boxing, badminton, tennis or any other sport, our athletes are giving new wings to our aspirations.”
"Fitness has always been an integral part of our culture. But there is indifference towards fitness issues now. A few decades back, a normal person would walk 8-10 km in a day, do cycling or running," PM said during the event. "But with technology, physical activity has reduced. We walk less now and the same technology tells us that we are not walking enough." Emphasizing the need to make fitness a mass movement, he also said that fitness is in our own hands and a healthy nation is the call of new India. The government has planned to take this movement to every school and villages in the country.
The launch event was attended by Bollywood actor and fitness enthusiast, Shilpa Shetty Kundra; Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari; BJP MP Gautam Gambhir; Indian athlete Man Kaur and Indian Boxer Sarit Devi. Sport Minister Kiren Rijiju, who was also present during the launch, "We will take this movement to new heights with the cooperation of my fellow Indians. I am so glad that this movement is being launched on the 114th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, our hockey wizard.”
“Making fitness a daily mantra is the only way to make India a great nation. You will be able to climb the stairs of success on if you’re fit,” said Modi.
