Yatharth Sikka
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with fitness experts and influencers from across the country on the first anniversary of Fit India Movement on Thursday, September 24, 2020. He launched ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ during the online Fit India Dialogue.
The fitness protocols have been prepared with the help of fitness enthusiasts for three age categories, from 5-18 years, 18-65 years, and 65 plus age category.
“Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz,” He introduced the nation to his latest slogan for a fit India movement.
Virat Kohli, Milind Soman, Rujuta Diwekar, Swami Shivadhyanam Saraswati, Mukul Kanitkar, Devendra Jhajharia, Afshan Ashiq shared their views with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The dialogue conversation was based on nutrition, wellness and various other aspects of fitness.
PM Modi said that “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 added that usually, our parents teach us all good habits. But for fitness, the trend has reversed a little. Youngsters are taking the lead in helping their parents get a fit lifestyle. ‘Strength is life; weakness is death. Expansion is life; contraction is death.’ – Swami Vivekananda
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.”
Indian Cricket Captain Virat Kohli said his fitness is a priority to him. “Even if the practice is missed for a day, I make sure I do not skip my fitness session on any day.”
” I felt an important transition happen in my early years as a cricketer. The demands of the game had changed, and I realised fitness was the most important factor for cricketers who wanted to catch up to the need of the game” said Virat Kohli
PM Modi asked Virat Kohli about the Yo-Yo test and whether the captain is also required to be part of the exercise. (Yo-Yo test, which measures the endurance level of athletes, has been made mandatory by the Indian cricket team). The team management has made it a prerequisite for selection in the senior national team.
Responding to PM Modi, Virat Kohli said “Sir, the yo-yo test is very important, when considering the fitness point of view. When you’re looking at the global level, our team’s level is still a little below the mark. We are looking to take that higher, it’s a basic requirement”.
“T20Is and ODIs get over in a day. When you’re talking about a Test match, we have to play five days, play one full day, get back and return refreshed for the next day’s play. When considering it, the fitness benchmark is very important,” Kohli added.
Swami Shivdhyanam Saraswati spoke about the importance of yoga and its wider impact in the country and the world. Speaking about the combination of traditional and traditional rules coupled with technology by his Yoga Institute, Swami Shivdhyanam Saraswati said that “it was not possible to learn yoga through theory and it was necessary to experience it”.
While interacting with the 55-year-old fitness enthusiast and actor Milind Soman, who often surprises everyone with his fitness level, PM Modi joked about his age asked him “Whatever you say your age is – are you really that old or is it something else?”
Milind Soman replied, “Many people ask me, are you 55? They wonder how I can run 500 KM at this age. I tell them my mother is 81. I want to be like her when I reach that age. My mother is an example for me and many others.”
“Gyms and machines are not necessary. I can be fit at 8 by 10-foot space at home. You only need mental Strength,” he added.
Professional footballer Afshan Ashiq from Jammu and Kashmir said that “she seeks inspiration from Mahendra Singh Dhoni over his fitness in the game, both physical and mental”.
She said that she ensured her physical fitness by waking up early and working out to become an inspiration for all women of the country.
Indian Paralympic javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia said that “he had faced a major injury on his shoulder and does upper body exercises to keep himself fit”.
He added that his senior citizen mother goes for walks every day in the morning. He stressed on the importance of not giving up in the face of hardships.
Mukul Kanitkar, National Organising Secretary of the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal spoke about the importance of ‘surya namaskar’ and says that Shrimad Bhagavad Gita is a conversation between two of the most fit people in Indian history – Sri Krishna and Arjun.
Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren Rijuju said “Within 1 year #FitIndiaMovement has taken the shape of people’s movement. PM Narendra Modi Ji’s Fit India Dialogue with some of India’s fitness influencers was very informative and interesting! #NewIndiaFitIndia.”
Prime Minister Modi urged all citizens of the country to take fitness and physical activity seriously, especially in these unprecedented times of a pandemic. With a new slogan ‘Ftiness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz’ (a dose of fitness every day for half an hour)
“Fit India” means a “Hit India” PM Modi hopes that the people of the country will take the Fit India Movement seriously and take it to further heights.
At last PM Modi said “Swastha hai tabhi bhagya hai, safalta hai,” Speaking about the important of mental health and a peaceful mind, the Prime Minister said that like it is important to have “a sound mind in a sound body, a sound body must also complement a sound mind”.
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