PM Modi's new health slogan: 'Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had an elaborate discussion with a number of well-known fitness experts on Thursday (September 24) to celebrate one year of ‘Fit India Movement’.

India cricket captain Virat Kohli, model, actor and runner Milind Soman and nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar were among the influential fitness freaks who participated in the event.

Modi formally inaugurated the ‘Fit India Age Appropriate Fitness Protocols’ during the online session. “I am glad that healthy eating is becoming a part of our life. Becoming fit is not as difficult as most think. It just requires a little discipline,” Modi said, insisting on the need to inspire one another to stay fit. “Families that play together, stay together,” he said.

The PM also raised a new fitness slogan: “Fitness ki dose, aadha ghanta roz.”

Paralympic javelin gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia and footballer from Jammu and Kashmir Afshan Ashiq were the first speakers.

Jhajharia said one should not give up despite hardships while Ashiq said she would wake up early to work out which helped her immensely in becoming what she is today.

Model-actor Milind Soman said mental strength is the key to walking hundreds of kilometers. One cannot limit the importance of fitness in words, he said.

Soman said that a gym is not a prerequisite to fitness. “We can become fit without supplements and energy drinks,” he said.

Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar equated healthy living with simple, home-made food. “Don’t lose health, but weight. We should eat home-made food and avoid packaged food. This is the secret to good health,” she said.

Swami Shivadhyanam Saraswati stressed on the importance of yoga and discipline. He talked about the concept of ‘yoga-capsule’, which has ‘mantra’, ‘aasan’, ‘pranayaam’, ‘chitrikaran’ and ‘dhyaan’ as its components.

Cricketer Virat Kohli said he may miss practice a day, but not his fitness session.

Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal’s Mukul Kanitkar said the society as a whole needs to get serious about  fitness to bring about a drastic change.