Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with fitness experts and influencers from across the country to mark the one-year anniversary of Fit India Movement on Thursday.
PM Modi launched the ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ during the online Fit India Dialogue.
“I am glad that healthy eating is becoming a part of our way of living. Becoming fit is not as difficult as most think. It just requires a little discipline,” he said, adding that we need to inspire one another to stay fit. “Families that play together, stay together,” he said.
“Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz,” the PM introduced the nation to his latest slogan for a fit India.
Cricketer Virat Kohli, model, actor and runner Milind Soman, and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar were among the fitness influencers who will participated in the event.
Paralympic javelin gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia and footballer from Jammu and Kashmir Afshan Ashiq were the first ones to speak at the event.
Jhajharia stressed on the importance of not giving up in the face of hardships and Ashiq said she ensured her physical fitness by waking up early and working out to become an inspiration for all women of the country.
Milind Soman said walking for hundreds of kilometers was not a difficult task if one had the mental strength to do it. ‘Fitness knows no limit,’ he said.
“One does not require a lot of space or a gym to become fit. We can become fit without supplements and energy drinks,” he said.
Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar said healthy living means sticking to simple, home-made food. “We should not lose health, but weight. We should eat home-made food and avoid packaged food. This is the secret to good health,” she said.
Swami Shivadhyanam Saraswati, also among the speakers, stressed on the importance of yoga and discipline. He talked about the concept of ‘yoga-capsule’, which has ‘mantra’, ‘aasan’, ‘pranayaam’, ‘chitrikaran’ and ‘dhyaan’ as its components.
Cricketer Virat Kohli said his fitness was a priority to him. “Even if practice is missed for a day, I make sure I do not skip my fitness session on any day,” Kohli said.
Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal’s Mukul Kanitkar said it is important to keep one’s mind, body, and sentiment fit. “The whole society needs to develop the culture of fitness, only then will a change be brought about,” he said.
