Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 28: As part of its commitment to the Fit India Movement, VLCC organized a nation-wide Walkathon which attracted participation of over 12,000 members of local communities across 70 cities pan-India.
The Walkathon was the culmination of its month long public service campaign ‘Take the Orange Pledge: Stand Up India’ Anti-Obesity Drive, aimed at creating awareness about the need to live an active and healthy lifestyle.
The flagship event of the nation-wide Walkathon was held at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi where over 1,500 people gathered to take the ‘Orange Pledge’, committing to lead a more active and healthier lifestyle and participated in the Walkathon, flagged off by Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Also present on the occasion were Dr Santanu Sen, President, Indian Medical Association, Vandana Luthra, Founder and Co-Chairperson, VLCC Group, senior officials of the Sports Authority of India and the Fit India Mission.
Speaking at the event, Vandana Luthra, Founder and Co-Chairperson, VLCC Group said, “This year’s Anti-Obesity campaign ‘Stand Up India’, seeks to create awareness about the pitfalls of leading a sedentary lifestyle and dangers of prolonged sitting, urging people to be more active. Studies have clearly shown that people who sit for long hours at a stretch every day are at an increased risk of becoming over-weight or obese and more prone to diabetes, heart disease, cancer and shorter life spans, even if they exercise regularly.”
“I also take this opportunity to thank the Fit India Mission for so readily supporting our endeavour and on behalf of VLCC I can commit that this initiative has our full and proactive year-round participation across all the 120 cities in India that we have our VLCC wellness centres and skill development institutes,” Luthra added.
VLCC kick-started its month-long campaign on November 2 and within 3 weeks of the launch, over 10 lakh people have already signed up to take the pledge online at www.orangepledge.com.
“I have always felt individuals can be responsible for their own well-being only when they have the awareness about how to lead a healthy lifestyle. This was our motivation for launching the annual Anti-Obesity Drive initiative 19 years ago and it is now observed in over 150 cities in the 14 countries that we operate our Wellness and Beauty Centres in, with the active participation of local communities, the medical fraternity, local administrations and the media,” Luthra said.
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