Shri Kadakampalli Surendran, Hon'ble Minister for Tourism,
Shri Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament,
Adv. V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram,
Dr. B. Sandhya IPS, Additional Director General of Police,
Dr. Sanjayan Kumar IFS, Director, Sports and Youth Affairs and
Secretary Kerala State Sports Council,
Shri Sathish Kumar, Assistant Director, Sports Authority of India,
Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education [SAI, LNCPE]
Dr. G. Kishore, Principal, SAI LNCPE,
Dr. Usha S. Nair, In-charge, Academics, SAI LNCPE,
Dear Athletes, Teachers, Staff and Students,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare
Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the Fit India Programmeorganized as part of the National Sports Day, that is, Rashtreeya Khel Diwas.
Let me at the outset, compliment the Sports Authority of India – Lakshmibai National College of Physical Educationfor organizing this function. I also congratulate the eminent sports persons who have been honoured today as well as those who have won prizes.
As we all know, today, the 29th of August, is the birth anniversary of India's Hockey legend,Major Dhyaan Chand, who bagged Olympic Gold Medals for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. In fact, the Major Dhyaan Chand Award, the highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games in India, is a fitting homage to this legend who had scored over 400 goals in his career from 1926 to 1948.
Significantly enough, the National Sports Daycelebrates the spirit of sports and games and endorses the need for a healthy life style and reminds us that physical activities are to be treated at par with cultural activities.
As all of us know, our Hon’ble Prime Minster, Shri Narendra Modiji, is launching the Fit India Movementfrom the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi today. Our Hon'ble Prime Minister is a fitness enthusiast, who could attract global attention to Yoga through its perfect demonstration on International Yoga Day in the recent years. His idea of launching the ‘Fit India Movement’is to persuade each one of us to include physical activities and sports into our daily lives. The idea is not necessarily to enroll in costly fitness programmes but to bring simple ideas of exercise in daily life to stay fit and healthy. He will also administer a ‘fitness pledge’, which will be telecast live so as to encourage maximum participation of students and teachers in taking the pledge.
While we discuss the importance fitness, one is reminded of Gandhiji who considered Health as the real wealth and believed that Health was more precious than gold and silver. As a student in London in the early 1890s, he used to walk about 8 miles every day. This is an example all of us could follow.
Only a healthy nation can become a truly wealthy nation. When we follow a healthy life style, we are empowering ourselves socially and economically. But, more than that, we will also be contributing to the economic stability of our nation in our own way. You may be aware that the Health Policy of the Government of Kerala lays great emphasis on activities which would encourage people to use for avenues for games and exercise. That policy also highlights the importance of ensuring people's participation in exercise activities.
I also think it will not be out of place to tell you that daily my exercise comprises an hour’s walk in the morning and in the evening. This gives me some exercise and reminds me of my earlier days in a farming background. Active farmers may not need sports to be physically fit, but, people like me need to walk or run to ensure fitness. Because of my daily walks, I can also claim to be the first Kerala Governor to have seen every nook and corner of the Raj Bhavan campus.
Coming back to today's programme, I am happy to note that Sports Authority of India – Lakshmibai National College of Physical Educationhas taken a lead role in organizing the Fit India Programme and the Fit India Pledge in a befitting manner.
The enthusiasm and the spirit of the sports persons, students and staff of this institution is over whelming and is indeed a motivation to the people of our State. I am sure these young talents shall bring glory to our country in the future.
By ensuring our participation in the Fit India Programme, let us work unitedly to make ourselves a people who are healthier, wealthier and wiser.
I greet the eminent sports fraternity attending this programme and compliment the Principal and students of Sports Authority of India - Lakshmibai National College of Physical Educationfor conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
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