Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday named 10 influential individuals from various fields to back the Centre's initiative to combat obesity.
Among the 10 nominees are Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, MP Sudha Murty, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, Mahindra & Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra, Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker, actors R Madhavan and Mohanlal, singers Shreya Ghoshal and Nirahua and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu.
PM Modi said these celebrities would help the country wage the battle against obesity and give awareness on cutting down on edibe oil consumption in food. He also urged the 10 personalities to nominates 10 people each and thereby help the movement grow into a massive campaign.
This comes after Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on Sunday called for the need to reduce consumption of oil in food, urging citizens to cut the oil intake by 10 per cent. He also passed the message from Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra who advocated for a healthier lifestyle.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed his happiness in joining the PM's campaign. He pointed out that obesity leads to lifestyle diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, strokes and breathing troubles besides depression and anxiety.
He then nominated 10 other people, including Biocon founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, JSW Steel chairman Sajjan Jindal, actress Deepika Padukone, tennis star Sania Mirza, cricketers Irfan Pathan and Iqra Rasool, NCP leader Supriya Sule, Paralympic athlete Sheetal Devi, Wushu coach Kuldeep Handoo and gymnast Palak Bijral.
Actor Madhavan nominated Neeraj Chopra, golfer Anirban Lahiri, directors Rohit Bose Roy and Akkshay Rathie, producer Vijay Moolan, actress Rakul Preet, OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal, actor Vivek Oberoi, Optimystix chairman Vipul D Shah and swimmer Sajan Prakash.