Fit India Movement Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

The convention hall of the Delhi University (DU) saw students from all across the university attending the live screening of the launch of The Fit India Campaign by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of National Sports day.

“I want to see you fit and make you fitness-conscious”, said PM Narendra Modi in his last

Mann Ki Baat session. This planted the seeds for the Fit India campaign, a nationwide movement which aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. The campaign is launched on National Sports Day which is celebrated on 29 August every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand.

A live screening of the launch event of the Fit India Campaign was organized by the Sports Council of the University of Delhi at the Convention Hall, Viceregal Lodge on 29 August 2019. The event which began at 9:30 am saw Dr. Benu Gupta, associate professor, Kirori Mal College deliver the welcoming address to the students.

It was followed by the lighting of the lamp ceremony by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Yogesh K Tyagi. To amplify the event, the students of the Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies performed the Sarasvati Vandana.

A fitness video was then played which talked about Yoga Day, mental illnesses and the importance of sports in our lives. It delivered the message that the Fit India Campaign is meant to inspire the nation to become more active and take care of themselves. Vinita, a student of Kirori Mal college affirmed saying, “This movement is a very nice initiative, especially for the students, as we feel like our life is just going to college and coming back and sleeping and eating. Through this movement, we can all pledge to be more active.”

The live session of the launch of the campaign by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi was then screened at the hall. The program saw a cultural display by the students showcasing different sports followed by an address delivered by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, in his speech, addressed everyone as students since everyone had been a student at some point in their lives and urged everyone to walk 10,000 steps each day to remain fit. Aditya Malik, a student from Ramjas, commented on the movement and said,” It is a new start of our prime minister so it could lead India to a new stage where we can perform well. In my village, we are not aware of yoga due to illiteracy but efforts by all of us will lead India to a new level.”

“I feel that we all should have a routine which keeps us fit. I plan to follow PM Modi’s words and walk 10,000 steps daily.”, said Simran Arora, another student from Kirori Mal College.

This event saw students taking a pledge to strive to be more active and making India more fit, a step a day.

Featured Image Credits- Rishabh Chauhan for DU Beat

Satviki sanjay

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Priya Chauhan

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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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