Silvassa: Flagging lifestyle diseases as a serious concern, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reiterated the need to cut down on edible oil consumption and said the recent estimate that India will have 44 crore obese people by 2050 is ‘huge and scary.’
Modi was speaking after the inauguration and ground-breaking ceremony for development projects worth Rs 2,587 crore in Silvassa town.
Stating that obesity is the root cause of many diseases, Modi urged people to fight the chronic health condition characterised by excessive body fat through regular physical exercises and reducing edible oil consumption by 10%.
“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 diseases. According to a recent report, nearly 44 crore people in India may be obese by 2050. This figure is huge and it is equally scary,” Modi said.
He said one in every three people in the country may be suffering from obesity by 2050 if the findings of the report turn out to be true. Modi warned that obesity will prove dangerous for people’s health and everyone must start trying to overcome this situation.
“I want all of you to take a pledge that you will buy 10% less oil,” the PM told the gathering.
The PM sought the cooperation of local residents to turn the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Diu and Daman, into a developed enclave on the lines of Singapore.
“There was a time when Singapore was just a small village of fishermen. But, thanks to the determination of its people, Singapore became what it is today. If people are ready to show similar commitment, I am ready to stand with you in your endeavours,” he said.
Among the projects, he launched the first phase of the 450-bed NAMO Hospital in Silvassa, built at a cost of Rs 460 crore. The facility is expected to enhance the healthcare services in the UT.
He also launched two circuit houses in Diu, a toy train in Daman, and inaugurated anganwadis (child care centres) and schools. He laid the foundation stone for a new hospital in Daman, internal roads in Diu, and new bus stands, schools, and a police station.
Modi informed that many new attractions will be added in the UT to boost tourism in the coming years. These include an eco-resort in Dudhani, a coastal promenade on the beach of Diu, and a cable car in Diu. “The cable car will be India’s first air ropeway which will give tourists a chance to have a magnificent view of the Arabian Sea. This UT is becoming one of the best tourist destinations in the country as well as an education hub,” he said.