Prime Minister Narendra Modi has nominated ten well-known figures from politics, sports, business, and entertainment to support his campaign against obesity and promote awareness about reducing edible oil consumption in India. During his monthly radio address, Mann Ki Baat, on Sunday, PM Modi emphasized the urgent need to combat obesity, highlighting its alarming rise, especially among children.
PM Modi’s Call for Healthier Lifestyles
In his address, PM Modi shared a concerning statistic: “One in every eight people today is troubled by obesity. Cases of obesity have doubled in recent years, and among children, the problem has increased fourfold.” He warned that excess weight contributes to various health issues, including heart disease and diabetes, and suggested small lifestyle changes to tackle the problem.
One such recommendation was reducing edible oil consumption by 10%. “You can decide that while buying oil for cooking, you will buy 10% less oil,” he urged listeners, stressing that such minor efforts could collectively make a significant impact.
Neeraj Chopra Backs PM’s Initiative
Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, who participated in the discussion, echoed PM Modi’s concerns, emphasizing the need for exercise and a balanced diet. “Parents should play outdoor sports with their children, adopt a healthy lifestyle, eat well, and dedicate at least an hour a day to physical activity,” he suggested.
Who Did PM Modi Nominate?
PM Modi took to social media platform X to announce his nominees, urging them to spread awareness and nominate ten more individuals each to expand the movement. His ten nominees are:
- Anand Mahindra – Industrialist
- Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirahua’ – Bhojpuri actor-politician
- Manu Bhaker – Olympic shooter
- Mirabai Chanu – Olympic weightlifter
- Mohanlal – Actor and film producer
- Nandan Nilekani – Infosys co-founder
- Omar Abdullah – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
- R. Madhavan – Actor
- Shreya Ghoshal – Singer
- Sudha Murty – Rajya Sabha MP and philanthropist
Omar Abdullah Joins the Campaign
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah was among the first to respond positively to PM Modi’s call. He acknowledged the severe health risks associated with obesity, stating, “Obesity causes a number of lifestyle-related health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes, and breathing problems, not to mention mental health conditions like anxiety and depression.”
Abdullah’s Nominations
Taking the initiative forward, Abdullah nominated several influential figures, including:
- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw – Biocon Managing Director
- Sajjan Jindal – Businessman
- Deepika Padukone – Actress
- Sania Mirza – Former tennis player
- Irfan Pathan – Former cricketer
- Supriya Sule – Member of Parliament
- Kuldeep Handoo – Former Wushu player
A Nationwide Movement Against Obesity
PM Modi’s campaign aims to build a nationwide conversation on obesity and healthy living, leveraging influential personalities to encourage small but effective lifestyle changes. With more public figures joining in, the movement is expected to gain widespread traction, inspiring millions to adopt healthier habits.
