Addressing a large crowd of children who put up a grand show ahead of the launch at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex here, Modi said: "We shhould make fitness our mantra for life." Mixed with anecdotes, joke and drawing parallel from everyday life, Modi stressed the importance of fitness.
Comparing India to China, US, Germany and Britain Modi said citizen here were lagging behind in fitness. He joked about the fact how Indians talk about diet while sitting in the dinner table. He focused on lifestyle problem that lack of fitness has created. "Previously one would walk 8 to 10 km everyday. These days we keep a track on how many steps we have taken through apps," said the PM.
The Prime Minister urged Indians to be focused and disciplined towards fitness. He also warned against the usage of drugs citing Swami Vivekananda. "Fitness has zero investment and hundred per cent return," Modi said as the crowds clapped. "The way you made Swachh Bharat movement a success, so should you make this movement a part of your life", urged Modi. He also invited state governments to be a part of it and extend cooperation.
At the event, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju said that PM's dream is coming true as he always wanted to see a fit and healthy India.
The Prime Minister had made the announcement on 'Mann Ki Baat' last Sunday in which he had said that National Sports Day on August 29 will mark the launch of 'Fit India Movement'. "We have to keep ourselves fit and the nation has to be made fit," he had said. The Fit India Movement will be for all men, women and children. “I want to see you fit and make you fitness conscious and we will together set the goals for Fit India and the country as a whole,” PM added as saying.
The 'Fit India Movement' has been organised to celebrate the 'National Sports Day' and the campaign aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. The day also marked the 114th birth anniversary of Mayor Dhyan Chand that is celebrated as National Sports Day in India.
Meanwhile, President Ramnath Kovind will give away the national sports awards in New Delhi today. Wrestler Bajrang Punia and para-athlete Deepa Malik will be conferred with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, footballer Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, hockey player Chinglensana Kangujam, sprinter Mohammed Anas, heptathlete Swapna Barman and shooter Anjum Moudgil are among some prominent names to be given Arjuna award. IPS Officer Aparna Kumar will be honoured with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award 2018 in the ‘Land adventure’ category.