Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced his proactive initiative against obesity and excessive edible oil consumption, nominating ten prominent public figures to lead the charge as part of his recent campaign. This follows his heartfelt address on the 119th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ where he voiced deep concern over the growing health crisis of obesity across India, advocating for healthier dietary habits.
On February 24, 2025, Modi took to social media platform X to express the need for collective action, saying, "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 our movement gets bigger.” His call to action revolves around the idea of reducing oil intake by 10%, which he believes can be established as a widespread habit if empowered through community effort.
The ten nominees include notable figures from various fields: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, businessman Anand Mahindra, actor Mohanlal, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, singer Shreya Ghoshal, and actor R. Madhavan. Others on the list are philanthropist and Member of Parliament Sudha Murty, Bhojpuri singer-actor Nirahua, competitive shooter Manu Bhaker, and Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. Their participation reflects Modi’s vision of utilizing influential personalities to inspire the public.
Promoting health awareness is not new to Modi. His earlier broadcasts have similarly encouraged healthier lifestyles. During the recent ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ he underscored the necessity of tackling issues like obesity, which remain pivotal to public health. He issued practical advice: to embrace the challenge of reducing cooking oil consumption and encourage at least ten other individuals to join the mission, highlighting the potential multiplier effect.
"Use less oil in food and also pass on the challenge of reducing oil intake by 10% to 10 others," Modi stated emphatically, reinforcing his commitment to fighting obesity through community engagement. This initiative reaches beyond personal health, aiming to cultivate collective accountability and proactive social behavior.
Accompanying this health initiative, PM Modi also utilized his address to celebrate India’s advancements in space exploration, commemorated the 100th rocket launch by ISRO, and mentioned significant missions such as Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya L-1. Such inclusions serve to boost national pride alongside personal health discourse, seamlessly woven throughout his messaging.
Modi's strategy highlights the importance of public figures endorsing healthy lifestyles. The inclusion of Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, who provided supportive messages, adds credibility to Modi's campaign, as success stories exemplify the rewards of healthy living. Through this dynamic approach, the initiative aims to shift societal norms surrounding dietary habits.
Inducing change on the required scale relies on widespread participation. The challenge to reduce oil intake cannot be taken lightly; it dovetails with the notion of collective engagement as both practical and achievable. With high obesity rates impacting overall public health and the economy, Modi’s initiative addresses substantial survival concerns for many Indians.
This drive to combat obesity aligns strategically with current health trends, where awareness surrounding diet and fitness has garnered popularity. By leveraging social media, traditional broadcast avenues, and the influence of nominated personalities, PM Modi seeks to rally the public across demographics. The essence of this movement is clear – it’s about fostering a communal effort to stimulate healthier lifestyle choices across India.
Prime Minister Modi's invitation for each nominee to nominate ten others broadens the initiative’s scope, creating diverse connection chains throughout various communities. Engaging political leaders, cultural icons, and everyday citizens, the initiative lays its foundation on interconnections formed through shared commitments to health.
Strengthening the focus on public health has become increasingly pertinent, calling upon people to acknowledge how dietary habits can significantly impact long-term health outcomes. Modi’s emphasis on collaboration as the linchpin of this initiative offers hope for substantial advancements toward alleviating the obesity crisis facing the nation.
Through such measures, the campaign may well transform daily dietary practices among countless people, ushering in not only improved health metrics but also instigated cultural shifts around food consumption. Prime Minister Modi’s initiatives against obesity represent not just battle against individual health struggles, but also a community-driven movement aiming for systemic change.
The fight against growing obesity rates is not merely about individual choice; it embodies the essence of societal transformation, recognizing health as a collective asset. The determined conclusion of this initiative will reveal its impact, but the road to healthier India is being paved with these proactive measures initiated by Prime Minister Modi.