The PM asked people to pass on the challenge of reducing oil intake by 10 per cent to 10 others
New Delhi: Making a strong pitch for fighting obesity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday 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. In his monthly "Mann ki Baat" address, the Prime Minister also called on people to salute India’s Nari Shakti, celebrate the launch of Isro’s 100th rocket and hailed India’s rise in artificial intelligence (AI).
In the 119th episode of the radio broadcast, Mr Modi said that using less oil in food and dealing with obesity is not just a personal choice but also “our” responsibility towards our family.
“During the opening of the National Games in Dehradun, I raised an important topic, which has started a new discussion in the country—the topic is obesity. To become a fit and healthy nation, we will certainly have to deal with the problem of obesity,” he said.
Quoting a study, Mr Modi said that one in every eight people today is troubled by the problem of obesity. He said, “Cases of obesity have doubled in the past years, but what is even more worrying is that the problem of obesity has increased fourfold even among children. WHO data shows that in 2022, about 250-crore people around the world were overweight.”
The Prime Minister noted that these statistics are serious and force all to think about why this is happening, as excess weight or obesity gives rise to many kinds of problems and diseases.
“We can together deal with this challenge with minor efforts. For example, one method I suggested was “reducing the consumption of edible oil by 10 per cent. Decide that you will use 10 per cent less oil every month. You can decide that while buying oil for cooking, you will buy 10 per cent less oil. This will be an important step towards reducing obesity,” he said.
The Prime Minister also played out messages from double Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and boxing champion Nikhat Zareen, who urged people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty's message was also shared during the broadcast.
Noting that March 8 is observed as International Women's Day, Mr Modi said that this is a special occasion to salute India's Nari Shakti. He called on people to celebrate, honour and salute the indomitable power of women.
Highlighting the contribution of Hansa Mehta, Mr Modi said that she had brought to the fore the contribution of women from all over the country, right from the making of the national flag to sacrificing their lives for its sake.
"She was of the belief that the saffron colour in our tricolour also reflects this sentiment. She had expressed confidence that our women power will make its valuable contribution in making India strong and prosperous. Today, her words are proving to be true. If you observe any field, you will find how extensive the contribution of women is," Mr Modi said.
During the broadcast, the Prime Minister said, “On Women's Day I am going to embark upon an initiative for a day, which will be dedicated to our Nari-Shakti. On this special occasion, I am going to hand over my social media accounts, like X and Instagram, to some inspiring ladies of the country. Women who have achieved success in myriad fields, who have innovated and created a unique identity for themselves in various fields”.
“On March 8, they will share their work and experiences with the countrymen. The platform might be mine, but it will be about their experiences, their challenges and their achievements. If you want to avail of this opportunity, become a part of this experiment through the special forum created on Namo App and share your message with the whole world through my X and Instagram accounts,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing Champions Trophy, Mr Modi said, “These days, there is an atmosphere of cricket everywhere. All of us know very well what the thrill of a century in cricket is… But today I am not going to talk to you about cricket, albeit about the wonderful century that India has made in space. Last month, the country witnessed the launch of Isro’s 100th rocket. This is not just a number; it also reflects our resolve to touch new heights in space science every day.”
The Prime Minister also appealed to people to try "one day as a scientist" by visiting research laboratories or planetariums to mark the National Science Day on February 28.
"Like space and science, AI is another field in which India is rapidly carving out a robust identity. Recently, I went to Paris to participate in a big AI conference. There, the world praised India's progress in this sector. We are also getting to see examples of how people in our country are using AI today," Mr Modi said.
The Prime Minister asked people if they were aware of the similarity between the Asiatic lion, hangul, pygmy hog and lion-tailed macaque. "The answer is that all of these are not found anywhere else in the world. They are found only in our country. Indeed, we have a vibrant ecosystem of flora and fauna. And these wild animals are deeply embedded in our history and culture," he said.
The Prime Minister further pointed out that the population of tigers has grown continuously in Karnataka's BRT Tiger Reserve, noting that a lot of credit for this goes to the Soliga tribe, the members of which worship the tiger. He noted that every part of the country is not only sensitive towards nature but also committed to wildlife protection.
In his radio address, the Prime Minister advised students appearing in the board exams to be "happy and stress-free" and said that the new format of "Pariksha Pe Charcha" has drawn admiration from various quarters.
