Over 2000 people participated in the Government’s Fit India Movement event

India

healthysoch.com

Asian Medical bodies including HCFI, CMAAO, IMA, and DMA join the Government’s Fit India Movement

• The organizations were also part of a 2-km plogging initiative flagged off on 2^nd October 2019 commemorating Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday
• Over 2000 people participated in the event which was also a step towards contributing towards the Swacch Bharat campaign

New Delhi, October 02, 2019 : 

The Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI), the Confederation of Medical Associations of Asia and Oceania (CMAAO), the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Padma Awardee Doctors Forum and the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) recently joined the Indian government’s Fit India Movement. The organizations were a part of the Government of India-organized 2-km plogging initiative led by the Ministry of Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

The plogging activity was flagged of by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Kiren Rijiju, on 2^nd October 2019, commemorating the 150^th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Over 2000 people attended the event which started from the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi.

Actor Malaika Arora, also the Co-founder of Sarva Yoga Studios and Diva Yoga; Filmmaker Aishwarya Dhanush; famed singer Shibani Kashyap, Dancer Uma Sharma and renowned Kavi Ashok Chakradhar joined the movement.

Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee, Dr KK Aggarwal, President, HCFI and CMAAO, said, “We are extremely happy to be a part of the Fit India campaign and to see participation by over 3 lac doctors through IMA in the plogging initiative. With concerns such as pollution, climate change and plastic overuse, the need of the hour is for more such initiatives. Not only are we contributing towards a greener planet and the Swacch Bharat initiative but doing so while ensuring better health for ourselves. The idea is that if you can run for 2 km without any symptoms, you are cardiac fit.”

Plogging is a combination of jogging with picking up litter. It started as an organized activity in Sweden around 2016 and spread to other countries in 2018, following increased concern about plastic pollution.

Adding his comments, R V Asokan Secretary General IMA, said, “The IMA has always been a part of initiatives that ensure better health for people of the country and the environment. The Fit India movement and the plogging initiative are also steps in this direction and we look forward to some positive changes in the health of the people and the planet alike.”

Dr Girish Tyagi President DMA said, “The Delhi Medical Association and all its 13 branches are  proud to be associated with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of a fitter and healthier nation. Initiatives like these can go a long way in ensuring a better future for the people and support the Swacch India movement with positive outcomes.”

Incidentally, all single-use plastics have been banned from 2^nd October 2019 in India. The aim behind encouraging more people to participate was also to help make India free of single-use plastics in the near future.

The plogging activity will continue at the Perfect Health Mela being organised from 18-20 October.