Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked India’s 79th Independence Day (Independence Day 2025) with a message that moved beyond politics. Speaking from the Red Fort in a record 103-minute speech, he highlighted a growing health problem of obesity. Modi warned that if habits don’t change, obesity could become a major obstacle for India in the coming years.
PM Modi Gives 10% Cooking Oil Suggestion
Modi called obesity a serious challenge and said experts believe that in the near future, one in three people could be obese. He suggested a simple change that every family can adopt.
He said, “I want to give a small suggestion. Families should decide that whenever cooking oil is bought for the home, it will be 10% less than usual, and we will use 10 per cent less as well,” he said.
Along with reducing oil intake, the Prime Minister urged people to stay active. He recommended yoga, walking, cycling, and home workouts. He also encouraged returning to balanced Indian diets that include grains, pulses, vegetables, and seasonal fruits, while limiting processed and packaged foods.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "In the very near future, the 200th birth anniversary of great social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule is coming up. We are going to kickstart events for the anniversary. In the principles of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, the mantras he gave, lie… pic.twitter.com/w0tdICyReF
— ANI (@ANI) August 15, 2025
Why This Warning By PM Modi Matters
Data shows that obesity in India is rising at an alarming rate. The National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21) found that 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese — a clear jump from the previous survey. Rural areas are now seeing obesity levels close to urban ones due to calorie-rich diets and less physical activity.
The ICMR-INDIAB Study (2023) revealed that 101 million Indians have diabetes and 136 million are prediabetic, much of it linked to excess weight. Childhood obesity is also increasing, with AIIMS studies showing between 5–14% of school children affected.
Independence Day 2025 Speech Is Modi’s Longest Yet
Independence Day 2025 speech was Modi’s longest ever, beating his 2024 record of 98 minutes. It was also his 12th consecutive address from the Red Fort – a record matched only by Indira Gandhi, with Jawaharlal Nehru holding the top spot at 17.
Modi’s focus on obesity and healthy living reflects a shift towards encouraging citizens to take personal responsibility for their health. He said, “When I talk about fitness… in the coming years, obesity will become a crisis for our country.”
By urging small lifestyle changes, the Prime Minister reminded the nation that a healthier India starts with daily choices.
Do you also agree with what our PM said in his Independence Day 2025 speech? Tell us in the comments!
