Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day address from the Red Fort to shine a spotlight on an issue he believes could become one of India’s biggest health threats-obesity. Warning that “in the coming years, obesity will be a crisis for our country,” he cited alarming expert estimates suggesting that every third Indian may struggle with obesity in the near future.
He said, "When I speak about sports, I also want to share a concern with you, one that every family in our country should take seriously. Obesity is becoming a major crisis for our nation. Experts and knowledgeable people say that in the coming years, one out of every three people will suffer from obesity. We must protect ourselves from obesity....Families should decide that when cooking oil is purchased for the home, it should be 10% less than usual."
A simple but effective step
To counter this trend, the Prime Minister proposed a straightforward, household-level change: reduce cooking oil purchases by 10%. He urged families to make a conscious decision that whenever they buy oil, they bring home slightly less than usual, and follow through by using less in daily cooking. For example, a family buying two litres a month could cut it to 1.8 litres without drastically altering their meals.
Why oil reduction matters?
Cooking oil, while essential in most kitchens, is one of the most calorie-dense ingredients in the diet. Just one tablespoon contains around 120 calories, and frequent overuse can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. Health experts recommend limiting oil intake to 600–700 ml per month per person, but actual consumption in many households is much higher.
Linking fitness and food choices
Modi connected his call for reduced oil consumption to a larger fitness movement, emphasising that diet and exercise must go hand-in-hand. He has often repeated the principle that “health is the real wealth”, and in this speech, he positioned mindful eating as a patriotic duty, just as much as staying active.
