PM launches ‘Fit India’ protocols, interacts with fitness enthusiasts

at 2:17 pm

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with fitness icons including cricket captain Virat Kohli and actor-model Milind Soman, and launched ‘Fit India’ protocols on the first anniversary of ‘Fit India Movement’.

The ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ were launched by the Prime Minister during the online Fit India Dialogue 2020, which was hosted by Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju.

Fitness experts and enthusiasts like nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar also participated in the virtual interaction with PM which was live on his social media handles.

“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,” the PM said.

Paralympic javelin gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia and footballer from Jammu and Kashmir Afshan Ashiq were the first ones to speak at the event.

Paralympian Jhajharia stressed on the importance of not giving up in the face of hardships. The PM also lauded his determination to keep himself fit despite a physical disability and said he was an inspiration to many in the country and the world.

Footballer Afshan Ashiq said she is proud that she is representing her state Jammu and Kashmir at a big level. Afshan, who plays as a goalkeeper at Mumbai’s FIFA club, said that she ensured her physical fitness by waking up early and working out to become an inspiration for all women of the country.

Milind Soman, whom PM greeted with “Make in India Milind”, said that 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.

“Whatever is said about your age online – are you really that old or is it something else?”, PM humorously asked 55-year-old Milind, who has often surprised his fans and social media followers with his fitness levels.

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar urged people to stick to simple and home-cooked 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.

PM Modi also appreciated her “eat local, think global” mantra, saying that it resonates with “vocal for local” mantra of the government.

Virat Kohli, while sharing his views on fitness said that being fit has been a self-realization for him. “I don’t feel bad if the practice is missed for a day, but I do feel bad if I skip my fitness session for a single day,” Kohli said.

Swami Shivadhyanam Saraswati and Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal’s Mukul Kanitkar also interacted with the PM and shared their mantras for fitness.

-ARK