Shri Kadakampally Surendran, Hon'ble Minister for Cooperation, Tourism & Devaswom,
Adv. V.K. Prasanth, Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation,
Dr A. Sampath, Member of Parliament,
Shri T.P. Dasan, President, Kerala State Sports Council,
Dr. A. Jayathilak IAS, Secretary, Sports,
Dr. G. Kishore, Principal, Sports Authority of India –Lakshmibai
National College of Physical Education,
Dr. Usha S. Nair, Academic-in-charge, Sports Authority of
India -Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education
Dear Teachers, Students,
Sahodaree Sahodaranmare,
Ellaavarkkum Ente Namaskaaram.
It gives me great joy to inaugurate the seminar entitled Health : Real Wealth, organized to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, at the campus of Sports Authority of India - Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Trivandrum.
Let me begin by complimenting the Principal and staff of Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education[SAI-LNCPE]for organizing this seminar. This is indeed a befitting start to the celebration of our beloved Bapu's 150th Birth anniversary.
I am happy that this programme has the presence of the outstanding athletes who participated in the recently concluded 18th Asian Games at Indonesia. Let me congratulate them on their stellar performance.
As all of us know, our Hon’ble Prime Minister had made a promise when he assumed office in 2014 that by 2019, when we celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhiji, India would have become one of the cleanest nations in the world. Needless to say, we are aiming at a healthier India through a clean and green India.
Many years ago, Gandhiji had made his concept of Health very clear in his ever-relevant saying that Health is real Wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. I am happy that SAl LNCPE, through its daily activities adheres to this Gandhian dictum by capturing the spirit of his saying in physical fitness, nutrition and cleanliness.
While we talk of the importance of a healthy living, we cannot ignore the fact that history has witnessed many epidemics which have wiped out large sections of the world population. We also cannot forget how abject poverty has created ill-health by compelling people to live in unclean surroundings that expose them to diseases. Poverty has also killed thousands in many countries where people struggle without proper shelter, clean water or sanitation. It is therefore not surprising that the Sustainable Development Goals adapted by the global community for the period 2016 -2030 have listed eradication of poverty and hunger and ensuring of good health as top targets.
While global efforts to ensure health are in progress, we also must do our bit. For this, we should recall Mahatma Gandhi’s warning about the economic impact of the lack of sanitation. While Swachch Bharat Abhiyan has been able to usher in some change in our concept of cleanliness, we still need to be worried by some statistics. For example, estimates say that India lost 237 billion US Dollars between 2006 and 2015 from premature deaths due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. India has also had to spend nearly 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product on handling non- communicable diseases. All these point to the need to adhere to a healthy life style. 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. Here, it is worthwhile to recall Mahatma Gandhi’s account of how, as a student in London in the early 1890s, he used to walk about 8 miles every day. In fact, he also had another walk in the evening at 5.30 p.m. for an hour and then for 30 or 45 minutes before going to bed. This and the strict diet are believed to be the secret behind the good health he enjoyed. This is an example all of us could follow.
Here, I think it will not be out of place to recount my personal experience at Raj Bhavan. Every day, I go for an hour’s walk in the morning and in the evening. This gives me a bit of exercise and enables me to recall my earlier days in an agricultural background. It is said that active farmers do not need any sporting activity to keep themselves physically fit, because their work involves physical labor. But, people like me need to walk or run to ensure fitness. During my walk, I can personally verify the daily progress of the plants and trees we have planted in Raj Bhavan campus in the last four years. Most people in Raj Bhavan say that I am perhaps the first Governor to have seen every nook and corner of that campus.
I would suggest that Artists, Office goers and Businessmen should make a garden round their house and regularly work two hours a day there. They can also remember Gandhiji's advice that for a person engaged in intellectual work, doing a bit of physical work every day will serve to improve even the quality of his intellectual output. If that work is done in a clean and unpolluted environment, it will boost your health considerably.
I have just mentioned some of my thoughts behind my firm belief that that Health is the greatest Wealth. I am happy that today's seminar intends to create awareness among the upcoming SAl trainees to become part of the cleanliness drive of the nation for a better training environment, which would certainly lead to their better health.
I greet all the eminent sports fraternity including Arjuna and Dronacharya Awardees, the trainees, students, coaches, teaching faculty, administrative staff, parents of trainees attending this programme and all those who presented the fitness programme here.
I also compliment the Principal and students of Sports Authority of India Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education for conducting this function in a befitting manner.
Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal
Nanni
Jai Hind
