Nutrition, Health and Fitness Awareness Must Become a People’s Movement
HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 05, 2026: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy said that a healthy nation is the foundation of a developed India. He emphasised that achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires sustained focus on health, nutrition, sanitation, fitness, sports and the well-being of women and children.
The Minister was speaking at the valedictory programme of the five-day POSHAN MAAH celebrations organised by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, at A.V. College grounds, Hyderabad, on Saturday.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy said that awareness on nutrition and healthy lifestyles should not remain limited to government programmes but must evolve into a people’s movement. He highlighted the role of students, youth and women in promoting healthy habits and appreciated the various activities conducted during the programme, including quiz, poster-making, video-making and nutritious recipe competitions.
Urging citizens to take personal responsibility for their health, the Minister called for healthy dietary practices, adequate sleep and regular physical activity, including walking, yoga and sports. He advised people to reduce excessive consumption of oil and sugar, avoid excessive junk food and give preference to fresh, nutritious home-cooked food.
Expressing concern over lifestyle-related health challenges among children and youth, Shri G. Kishan Reddy stressed the need to inculcate healthy habits from an early age. He also urged people to regulate the use of mobile phones and other digital devices and maintain a healthy balance between screen time and physical activity.
On drug abuse, the Minister said that building a drug-free India is a collective responsibility. He called upon parents, teachers, educational institutions, police, voluntary organisations and society to work together to protect the younger generation. Referring to initiatives such as Nasha Mukt Bharat and Fit India, he said these efforts are integral to building a healthier and stronger nation.
Shri G. Kishan Reddy called upon citizens to actively participate in health and fitness initiatives and contribute to the creation of a healthy society, which he said is essential for achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking on the occasion, PIB and CBC Additional Director General Smt. Shruti Patil said the five-day programme created awareness among students on nutrition, balanced diets and healthy lifestyles through a range of interactive activities and competitions.
She emphasised that “an awareness programme is not the end, but the beginning of action”, urging students and families to translate awareness into healthier food choices and everyday practices. She said that even small changes at the individual and family level can contribute significantly to building a healthy, strong and productive India.
Shri Soma Jaganmohan Reddy, A.V. Education Board Member Shri K. Vinod Reddy, A.V. College Correspondent, senior officers and staff of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, college authorities, teachers and students attended the valedictory programme.
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