Can our Fitness Mania politicians inspire the public?

Fitness and image building have become the new buzzwords among Indian politicians. Now, they’re taking the fitness challenge to the next level.

BJP leader and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya completed the Ironman 70.3 endurance race held in Goa on October 27. He is the first Indian public representative to complete the Ironman event. The 33-year-old BJP MP took up the triathlon challenge – comprising a 1,900m swim, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km run – finishing in 8 hours, 27 minutes and 32 seconds. In return, he received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who called Surya’s attempt a “laudable feat”.

Just a week earlier (October 20), Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made history by participating in Kashmir’s first international marathon, completing the 21 km run in an impressive average pace of 5 minutes 54 seconds per kilometer. For Abdullah, it was a matter of pride as he had never run more than 13km before.

The image of the pot-bellied Indian politician in starched white khadi kurtas has undergone a transformation. Now they are fitter and more aware of their public image. Previously, only members of the film industry shared their workout regimens or eating habits. However, with the rise of social media, once-shy politicians have become influential, sharing their fitness routines and inspiring followers to lead healthier lifestyles.

Unfortunately, none of these fitness-focused politicians, who also happen to be MPs, have done much to promote sports at the grassroots level, which could improve India’s medal tally and encourage youngsters to take up the sport on a larger scale.

The fitness craze

Many Indian politicians follow strict training regimes and regulated diet plans to maintain their energy levels and stay fit – physically, mentally and emotionally. In the midst of their hectic daily schedules, including campaigning and constituency visits, incorporating a fitness regimen requires significant discipline.

The long hours spent in either the scorching or cold weather of India require a certain toughness of mind and body.

Some politicians are also sports enthusiasts. Playing sports like cricket, badminton, tennis and football not only gives them a physical workout but also a recreational outlet to relax and de-stress.

Image and social media conscious politicians actively participate in fitness activities. BJP’s Kiren Rijiju, Anurag Thakur and Jyotiraditya Scindia, along with Congress’ Sachin Pilot and NCP’s Supriya Sule, are among those who take time out for morning runs, yoga, cycling or gym workouts. Kiren along with Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur launched Fit India Freedom Run 3.0 in October 2022. Telangana CM Revanth Reddy likes to play football.

“After the pandemic, fitness emerged as the new cool. Business and political leaders present their fitness regimes. A fit body sends a strong signal about discipline, motivation and a serious career. Fitness has become the ‘new cool,’” says Shital Kakkar Mehra, executive presence coach for CEOs.

Walk The Talk

The ruling BJP was buoyed by Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Fit India’ call in 2020, in which he urged people to incorporate fitness into their daily routine and raise awareness about it. PM Modi started sharing moments from his yoga sessions on social media, prompting all his ministers to follow suit.
Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been a fitness and sports enthusiast in his private life, but this was made public in August this year on National Sports Day. The Congress party shared a video on social media platform X, showing Gandhi practicing Jiu-Jitsu during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
Gandhi aimed to introduce children to martial arts and meditation, fostering a sense of community among participants. Walking 25 km daily, sprinting and occasionally doing push-ups during the yatra seemed effortless for the Congress leader, enhancing his public image.

“Young entrepreneurs, fit professionals and new-age politicians are all talking about balancing their work with health, exhibiting peak physical and mental fitness to achieve greater success in high-powered roles,” says Mehra.

Unfortunately, these politicians’ enthusiasm for sports and fitness has remained largely confined to social media and their personal lives.

Despite considerable progress in the development of sports policies such as ‘Khelo India’, Fit India Movement and SAI initiatives to promote both fitness and competitive sports, these efforts have not reached children and youth adequately. efficient. These policies have not nurtured young talent or boosted participation across the country.

Ace shuttler Jwala Gutta expresses her happiness to see politicians setting an example for others.
“It’s not enough to motivate hundreds of thousands of people their age. If we want to make sports or health a major movement in our country, we need to change our policies, starting with schools.”
“As a sportsperson, I feel these MPs can contribute much more to sports in the country,” says Gutta.

One of the most significant problems is the lack of adequate infrastructure, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. Many athletes do not have access to adequate training facilities, equipment or even safe spaces to practice, inhibiting skill development and overall performance.

“Why can’t MPs make sport a compulsory subject in every school? Government policies like ‘Khelo India’ have not done much for children aspiring to take up sports professionally,” says Gutta.

The disconnect between fitness-focused politicians and the ground realities of India’s sports landscape needs to be urgently addressed.

(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the authors