Combatting Obesity: PM Modi Enlists 10 Leaders for Awareness Campaign
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Synopsis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rallied ten notable individuals to support the nationwide campaign against obesity and encourage healthy eating habits, in alignment with his Fit India initiative. This movement aims to address the rising obesity crisis and promote collective responsibility towards healthier lifestyles.
Key Takeaways
- PM Modi's initiative includes prominent figures in promoting health awareness.
- Obesity is a growing crisis in India, with alarming statistics.
- Small lifestyle changes can significantly impact health.
- Collective responsibility towards health is emphasized.
- Encouragement to reduce oil consumption in diets.
New Delhi, Feb 24 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon ten esteemed individuals to participate in the national initiative against obesity and to advocate for healthy eating, in line with his Fit India campaign. Among those recognized are Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, business mogul Anand Mahindra, actor-turned-politician Dinesh Lal Yadav (also known as Nirahua), Olympic champions Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu, actors Mohanlal and R. Madhavan, singer Shreya Ghoshal, Rajya Sabha MP and philanthropist Sudha Murthy, along with Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
PM Modi encouraged these figures to each nominate ten more individuals, thereby expanding the movement's influence and outreach.
In his message on X, the Prime Minister expressed, "As stated in yesterday's Mann Ki Baat, I would like to nominate the following individuals to fortify our battle against obesity and raise awareness about minimizing edible oil intake in our diets. I also urge them to nominate ten others to help our campaign grow! Together, let us strive to make India healthier and fitter."
During his monthly radio program, 'Mann Ki Baat', on Sunday, PM Modi praised India's swift advancement towards becoming a global sports leader and underscored the necessity of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
He also drew attention to a pressing health issue – obesity. Citing discussions from the National Games' inaugural ceremony in Dehradun, he highlighted the urgent requirement to confront India's escalating obesity challenge.
Referencing data from the World Health Organization, he cautioned that one in eight individuals in India suffers from obesity, with cases having doubled in recent times. Alarmingly, childhood obesity rates have surged fourfold.
He noted that being overweight is associated with various health risks, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. However, he assured that simple yet significant lifestyle adjustments could effectively address this issue.
To advance this initiative, he invited Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, boxer Nikhat Zareen, and prominent cardiologist Dr. Devi Shetty to share their perspectives on combating obesity during the radio broadcast.
The Prime Minister urged citizens to adopt healthier eating practices, especially by curbing excessive oil usage. He emphasized that making informed food choices isn't just a personal matter but a shared duty towards family and society.
"Reducing oil usage in meals and tackling obesity is not solely an individual choice but also our obligation to our families. Overconsumption of oil in food can lead to numerous diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension," he stated.
"By implementing minor changes in our dietary habits, we can fortify our future, making it healthier and free from diseases. Therefore, we must promptly enhance our efforts in this direction and apply them in our lives. Together, we can achieve this in a fun and effective manner," he concluded.
