NEW DELHI, April 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the occasion of World Health Day on Monday, made a strong appeal to Indians to adopt healthier lifestyles, highlighting the urgent need to combat the nation’s growing obesity crisis and prioritize fitness as a cornerstone of India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote, “On World Health Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier world. Our Government will continue to focus on healthcare and invest in the various aspects of people’s well-being. Good health is the foundation of every thriving society!”
Alongside his message, the Prime Minister shared a video emphasizing that “health is the ultimate fortune and the ultimate wealth.” He raised a serious concern regarding a recent report predicting that over 440 million Indians could suffer from obesity by 2050. “This is scary. How big a crisis can this be?” he asked.
In his video message, PM Modi called for immediate action, urging citizens to take personal responsibility for their health. “Adopting healthier eating habits, such as reducing oil usage, is not just a personal decision, but a social responsibility,” he stated. Proposing a practical solution, the Prime Minister said, “I want to take a promise from you today that we all should reduce our cooking oil by 10 per cent. This will be a big step towards reducing obesity.”
He further stressed the importance of physical activity, urging people to integrate regular exercise into their daily routines. “Apart from this, we have to make exercise a part of our life. If we keep ourselves fit, it will be a big contribution to the journey of a Viksit Bharat,” Modi said.
This is not the first time the Prime Minister has sounded the alarm about India’s health challenges. In a previous episode of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat, he had expressed deep concern over rising obesity rates in the country. Citing World Health Organization (WHO) data, he noted, “One in every eight people in India is affected by obesity.” He added that the rate of obesity has doubled in recent years, with childhood obesity increasing fourfold.
PM Modi highlighted the long-term risks of obesity, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. He, however, emphasized that these risks can be mitigated through small yet meaningful lifestyle changes.
To bolster the fight against obesity, the Prime Minister also announced a nationwide campaign enlisting the support of ten prominent public figures. These include Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, industrialist Anand Mahindra, actor-politician Dinesh Lal Yadav (Nirahua), Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu, actors Mohanlal and R. Madhavan, singer Shreya Ghoshal, philanthropist Sudha Murthy, and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
PM Modi encouraged these ten personalities to each nominate ten more individuals, creating a ripple effect to spread the message of healthy living across the nation.
