How PM Narendra Modi sent out a powerful message by plogging at the beach
- In Current Affairs
- 09:14 AM, Oct 18, 2019
- Apoorva Dixit
On 12th October 2019, 9.11am, India’s Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi tweeted, “Plogging at a beach of Mamallapuram this morning. It lasted for 30minutes. Also handed over my ‘collection’ to Jeyaraj, who is a part of the hotel staff. Let us ensure our public places are clean and tidy! Let us also ensure we remain fit and healthy”. This message was attached with a video where PM Modi was seen collecting trash and putting it in a plastic bag across the beach of Mamallapuram. Many wondered about the meaning of the word ‘Plogging’. While few had a hint that it has to do with cleaning or picking trash, but what has that got to do with Fitness?
Well, ‘Plogging’ is the combination of picking up litter while jogging. Originated in Sweden in 2016, it spread across the world & while making a popular entry in an average Indian’s life through this tweet & subsequent media coverage. Plogging adds bending, squatting & stretching to the normal Jogging & hence adds more body movements.
Is plogging a new concept to Indians? Well, yes it is new, but extensively used in last 1 month. The ardent followers of Mann Ki Baat would know about it, as the PM had used it to address the litter issue on 29th September 2019.
On 2nd October 2019, the sports ministry organized the Fit India Plog Run. The initiative targeted at making India clean & fit, was a tribute to 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Over 2.8 million participated in the Fit India Plog Run in over 55000 locations across India. The event was flagged off by Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju where he said, ‘We are merging Fit India & Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. When the entire country works towards a goal, only then the impact will be big. It is not just a one-day activity, Fit India is a movement, and we will keep doing fitness and cleanliness related activities throughout the year’. The statement made it very clear the intent and commitment of the government towards the cause.
The video that PM shared was appreciated and criticised on the social media, just like any other post. Someone pointed out that PM should wear shoes, gloves to avoid getting hurt due to sharp seashells or any other pointed objects like broken glasses etc. Many people felt proud of the PM while many were ashamed that of not bothering to pick up the trash on beach. Few even questioned the usage of plastic bag which was used to collect trash.
As the camera man was not helping the PM and was only filming, many criticized it to be a PR strategy to deviate from certain issues. Few even posted fake pictures to claim that this was just a show off and there was no genuine concern. Even if it was a PR activity don’t more people now know about plogging, few of them will actually implement it, some of them will spread & educate others about it. Isn’t it a good sign? This is a very strong & positive message. This is a perfect example of leading from the front.
Plogging is a very difficult task. It needs commitment & patience. The only thing that is easier to implement than plogging is ‘Not Littering’. Let's stop littering, and stop others as well. Let plogging be the most recorded & viewed activity on Tik Tok. Let's contribute whenever and wherever we can.
Let us ensure our public places are clean and tidy!
Let us also ensure we remain fit and healthy
Image Credits ANI News
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