Prime Minister of India, Shri. Narendra Modiji, launched a nationwide Fit India movement on August 29, 2019, which is also celebrated as National Sports Day, in honour of Olympic Gold Medallist and hockey player Dhyan Chand. The purpose of the movement was to encourage the citizens of India to lead a healthy life by incorporating fitness in their daily regime.

The Fit India initiative comes on the heels of National Health Index report that stated diabetes and hypertension are on the rise and the youth of the nation too is afflicted by the disease. In order to make health a priority, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also administered a fitness pledge during the campaign.

In Bangalore, The National Sports Day and Fit India Movement was organised by the Department of Youth Welfare and Department of Sports Association with Bangalore University at Vidhan Soudha. The programme was presided over by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri. B. S. Yedeyurappa, Ministers of Karnataka and NSS State Officer Dr. Gananatha Shetty.

The area in front of the Vidhan Soudha was converted into a mini sports arena. It comprised over 1000 chosen participants from the field of sports and NSS volunteers, who reflected the spirit of the youth of the state. Several sports like boxing, hockey, athletics, velodrome, basketball etc. were played during the event. There was also an artificial climbing wall and hoops. The idea was to send a message about the importance of inculcating fitness regime in our everyday lives.

FIT INDIA PLEDGE

Participants took the fitness pledge to remain fit by making outdoor games, exercise and physical activities a part of their daily routine and to make fit India a people’s movement by encouraging family and neighbours to remain fit.