In light of the upcoming launch of the Fit India Movement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked students and faculty to walk 10,000 steps daily.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Sunday Mann ki Baat, announced the launch of the Fit India Movement on the occasion of National Sports Day, on 29th August 2019. The launch is scheduled for the entire day, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex, where students from all across the country, as well as fitness enthusiasts, will be taking part.
Bringing this movement to the institutions of higher education in our country, the UGC has instructed colleges to prepare and implement fitness plans for their students and faculty members and motivate them to walk 10,000 steps daily. The UGC has also encouraged them to incorporate physical exercise, sports, and fitness activities in their daily routines. The commission has directed the institutions to screen a live feed of the launch event and ensure that faculty and students attend.
The authorities of higher education institutions have been asked to upload their fitness plans on their websites as well as notice-boards within a month. The official notice also said, “Universities and affiliated colleges can make well-meaning efforts for the health and well-being of their students, teachers, staff, and officials to achieve physical fitness, mental strength, and emotional equanimity.”
Abhinandan Kaul, a first-year B.A Programme student of St. Stephen’s College said, “It’s a brilliant step to inspire students who are the future of our nation to adapt to a fit and healthy life and this will surely ensure that India becomes a healthy country full of positivity!” His classmate, Jaideep – a squash player – agreed, “This is a nice initiative. Maybe all the colleges could have a period of 30 minutes, every day before the college classes start, in which students can do some physical activity, even as basic as walking. This would help them to get ready for the day and freshen up. Exercise hasn’t always been a big part of our “campus culture,” but we can gain from it in many ways including more energy, deeper and more satisfying sleep, and increased fitness.”
Although the Fit India movement has already been met with a positive response from students, what remains to be seen is how well it can be taken forward in our institutions.
Feature Image Credits: Akarsh Mathur for DU Beat
Bhavya Pandey
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