Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Health Day on Monday, urged Indians to adopt healthier lifestyles, stressing the need to combat obesity and prioritize personal fitness as crucial steps toward India’s goal of becoming a developed nation.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote “On World Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier world. Our Government will continue to focus on healthcare and invest in the various aspects of people’s well-being. Good health is the foundation of every thriving society!”.
The Prime Minister shared a video message stressing that “health is the ultimate fortune and the ultimate wealth” and sounded the alarm on India’s rising obesity crisis. He referred to a recent report predicting that by 2050, over 440 million Indians could suffer from obesity, warning that this would pose a significant public health crisis. “This is scary. How big a crisis can this be?” he asked.
In the video, PM Modi called for action, urging citizens to make personal decisions for better health. “Adopting healthier eating habits, such as reducing oil usage, is not just a personal decision, but a social responsibility,” he stated. As part of his appeal, the Prime Minister proposed a simple yet impactful change: “I want to take a promise from you today that we all should reduce our cooking oil by 10 per cent. This will be a big step towards reducing obesity.”
PM Modi also encouraged the population to integrate regular physical activity into their daily routines. “Apart from this, we have to make exercise a part of our life. If we keep ourselves fit, it will be a big contribution to the journey of a Viksit Bharat,” he added.
The Prime Minister has consistently highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. During an episode of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat, he expressed concern about India’s rising obesity rates, citing alarming data from the World Health Organization (WHO). “One in every eight people in India is affected by obesity,” he revealed, noting that the prevalence of obesity has doubled in recent years, with childhood obesity increasing fourfold.
Obesity, PM Modi warned, can lead to severe health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. However, he emphasized that small but meaningful lifestyle changes can help combat these issues.
To further raise awareness and promote healthy living, the Prime Minister enlisted ten prominent public figures to join a nationwide campaign against obesity. The personalities involved include Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, industrialist Anand Mahindra, actor-politician Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu, actors Mohanlal and R. Madhavan, singer Shreya Ghoshal, philanthropist Sudha Murthy, and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
PM Modi encouraged each of them to nominate ten more individuals, aiming to amplify the campaign’s reach and societal impact.
(With IANS inputs)
