Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with fitness icons including cricket captain Virat Kohli and actor-model Milind Soman as part of the “Fit India Dialogue” to promote fitness and health.
Speaking to Milind Soman who, at 55, has often surprised his fans and social media followers with his fitness levels, PM Modi questioned: “Whatever you say your age is – are you really that old or is it something else?”

Milind Soman replied with a chuckle: “Many ask me, are you 55? They wonder how I can run 500 KM at this age. I tell them my mother is 81. I want to be like her when I reach that age. My mother is an inspiration for me and many others.”

PM Modi, jokingly referring to the former supermodel as “Made in India Milind”, shared that he had been forwarded a video of his mother doing push-ups and had watched it five times in awe.

Milind Soman pointed out that the older generation was used to walking up to 50 KM a day and women in villages still do so for daily chores like fetching water.

“But in cities we are sedentary. The more we keep sitting, our energy and fitness goes down. It is normal for any person to do 100 KM a day,” he said.

He also suggested that to stay fit, everyone could do simple things at home. “Gyms and machines are not necessary. I can be fit at 8 by 10 foot space in home. You only need mental strength,” he said.

To a question from Milind Soman on how he tackled the stress of the country’s top job, PM Modi said: “When we serve others instead of ourselves, without any greed but with a sense of duty, then there can be no stress. Instead, you get more energy. Also, pratispardha (competition) is a sign of fitness when it is healthy.”

The conversation took place days after their banter on Twitter on PM Modi’s 70th birthday on September 17.

When Milind Soman wished the Prime Minister “good health and a good and proactive opposition”, the Prime Minister posted: “Thank you for your birthday wishes and wishful thinking. :)”

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