New Delhi, August 29: On the occasion of National Sports Day 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, August 29, launched “Fit India Movement”. The event organised at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi is to encourage all citizens to be in the culture of fitness. "On this day a great sportsperson was born, Major Dhyan Chand. He amazed the world with his fitness, stamina, and hockey stick," PM Modi said while launching the campaign. The event was hosted by TV personality Gitikka Ganju Dhar. What is Fit India Movement? Know Everything About Narendra Modi Government's New Initiative to Keep India Healthy.

"Fitness has always been an integral part of our culture. But there is indifference towards fitness issues now. A few decades back, a normal person would walk 8-10km in a day, do cycling or run," Modi said at the event. "But with technology, physical activity has reduced. We walk less now and the same technology tells us that we are not walking enough," he added. Fit India Movement Live Streaming.

Fit India Movement Launched by PM Modi on National Sports Day 2019 | Full Speech

The event was started with a speech from Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju, who appealed to people make a ‘Fitter & Better India’. Many Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior were present during the launch of 'Fit India Movement'.

"We will take this movement to new heights with the cooperation of my fellow Indians. I am so glad that this movement is being launched on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, our hockey wizard," Rijiju said.

Kiren Rijiju on Fit India Movement launch:

The campaign is supported by several sports personalities including sprinter Hima Das, World Badminton champion PV Sindhu, and wrestlers Sakshi Malik and Bajrang Punia. PV Sindhu, in a video released by Sports Authority of India (SAI), also encouraged followers to take out some time to keep fit.

PM Modi had announced the launch of Fit India Movement during his monthly radio show- Mann Ki Baat-on August 25. "On the occasion of National Sports Day, we are going to launch the 'Fit India Movement' across the country. We have to keep ourselves fit and the nation has to be made fit," PM Modi had said.

Fit India Movement is the latest initiative by PM Modi to promote fitness and health in the country. PM Modi, a dedicated supporter of Yoga, in the past he had attributed his fitness to regular yoga and breathing exercises.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2019 11:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).