Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday raised the rising obesity rate in India, warning that nearly 44 crore Indians could be obese by 2050 if current trends persist.
Addressing the gathering in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Modi emphasised the urgent need for lifestyle changes to tackle this growing health concern.
“Diseases linked to our lifestyle are posing a huge risk to our health today. Obesity is one of them because it is the root cause of many ailments. According to a recent report, nearly 44 crore people in India may be obese by 2050. This figure is huge and equally alarming,” he said.
He urged people to reduce their edible oil consumption by at least 10% and adopt healthier habits, including regular exercise and cycling.
“Obesity will prove dangerous for our health, and we must start acting now to overcome this challenge. I appeal to everyone to reduce their edible oil consumption by 10 percent and pledge to live a healthier lifestyle through regular exercise and cycling,” he added.
Modi had previously raised the issue in his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat, where he nominated prominent sports figures and health experts to promote awareness about fitness and a balanced diet.
During his visit to Silvassa, Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple development projects worth Rs 2,587 crore. Among these, he inaugurated the first phase of NAMO Hospital, a 450-bed facility built at a cost of over Rs 460 crore, which is expected to strengthen healthcare services in the Union Territory, especially benefiting tribal communities.
The Prime Minister was felicitated at the event by UT Dadra-Nagar Haveli administrator Praful Patel. The projects included various village roads, road infrastructure, schools, health and wellness centres, Panchayat and administrative buildings, Anganwadi centres, and water supply and sewage infrastructure.
During his visit to Surat, Modi also inaugurated the Surat Food Security Saturation Campaign, reinforcing the government’s commitment to food security under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
“The government is working towards ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left out of welfare schemes,” Modi stated.
Under this initiative, the Prime Minister disbursed benefits to around 2 lakh eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides essential food grains to poor families.
Following a grand roadshow in Surat, Modi was felicitated by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister CR Patil.
An emotional moment unfolded during Modi’s public gathering when a young man, visibly agitated and in tears, stood clutching a poster of his deceased mother near the podium. The Prime Minister noticed him, approached him, and signed the placard.
On Saturday, he will travel to Navsari where he will interact with Lakhpati Didis, followed by a public function to launch various schemes.
As part of his commitment to social welfare, Modi will distribute appointment letters under Rozgar Mela and extend benefits to beneficiaries under PM Awas Yojana-Urban, Gir Adarsh Aajeevika Yojana, and the Sylvan Didi scheme.
The Gir Adarsh Aajeevika Yojana aims to boost the economic empowerment of women from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, other backward classes, minorities, and divyangjan by facilitating the establishment of small dairy farms and bringing economic and social changes to their lives.
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