Politicos, celebrities, moguls join PM’s fight against obesity
In a post on X, Mr Modi said: “I would like to nominate the following people to help strengthen the fight against obesity and spread awareness on reducing edible oil consumption in food. I also request them to nominate 10 people each so that our movement gets bigger.”
New Delhi: A day after making a strong pitch for fighting obesity in his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday nominated 10 persons from different walks of life, including Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah, businessman Anand Mahindra and actor Mohanlal, to help fight obesity.
In a post on X, Mr Modi said: “I would like to nominate the following people to help strengthen the fight against obesity and spread awareness on reducing edible oil consumption in food. I also request them to nominate 10 people each so that our movement gets bigger.”
Former Lok Sabha member and Bhojpuri singer-actor Nirahua, shooting champion Manu Bhaker, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, actor R. Madhavan, singer Shreya Ghoshal, and philanthropist and MP Sudha Murty are the other personalities nominated by him.
In his Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, Mr Modi had urged people to use less oil in food and also pass on the challenge of reducing oil intake by 10 per cent to 10 others.
Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah said he was happy to join the campaign against obesity launched by the Prime Minister. Mr Abdullah also nominated 10 persons to join the PM's campaign.
“Obesity causes a number of lifestyle-related health issues like heart disease, Type-2 diabetes, strokes & breathing problems not to mention mental health conditions like anxiety & depression. Today I'm nominating these 10 people to join the PM's campaign against obesity & requesting them to nominate a further 10 people each to take this fight forward,” Mr Abdullah wrote on X.
Among those nominated by Mr Abdullah were Biocon managing director Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, businessman Sajjan Jindal, actor Deepika Padukone, former tennis player Sania Mirza, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, MP Supriya Sule and former Wushu player Kuldeep Handoo.
Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra said in order to achieve the mission of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, we not only need a strong economy but a healthy population as well.
”Making small changes, like using even 10 pc less cooking oil, can build up to big contributions; be it to your well-being, to your wallet, or to a healthier world. Thank you, PM @narendramodi, for your call to action,” he said in a post on X.
Mr Mahindra nominated Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, actor Gul Panag, Zerodha Co-founder Nikhil Kamath, chess champio Vishwanathan Anand and badminton champion P.V. Sindhu.
Mr Nilekani said that apart from a range of health-related benefits, reduced usage of edible oil will also strengthen the nation's economy by reducing dependence on imports and saving valuable resources.
“In addition to dietary changes, I have also incorporated daily exercise to keep obesity and related issues in check," he said.
Mr Nilekani nominated Goenka group chief Harsh Goenka, chef Ritu Dalmia, Myntra founder Mukesh Bansal and Kotak Mahindra Bank director Uday Kotak, among others.