Lok Sabha Question No. 844 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-21
Subject: Promotion of Sports through Fit India Movement
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Sandhya Ray, Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Rajesh Verma, D. Ravikumar, Dhanush M Kumar, Ganesan Selvam, Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya, Vijay Kumar Dubey, Rebati Tripura

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

## DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.844 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.11.2019

Promotion of Sports through Fit India Movement

844. SHRIMATI SANDHYA RAY:

SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

SHRI DHANUSH M.KUMAR:

SHRI SELVAM G.:

SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

SHRI REBATI TRIPURA:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to promote Sports through Fit India Movement and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard;
- (b) whether  the  Government  also  proposes  to  develop  traditional rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games  in  the  country  and  if  so,  the details thereof
- (c) the number of annual competitions organized by the Government for  the  promotion  of  rural  and  indigenous/tribal  games  during each of the last three years and the current year;
- (d)  the  difficulties  faced  by  the  Government  in  the  promotion  of traditional rural and indigenous games in the country;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  awareness  drive  for the promotion of traditional  rural  and indigenous/tribal  games and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  the youth to take interest in various kinds of sports; and
- (g)  whether  higher  educational institutes under UGC have devised
- any fitness plans and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENTCHARGE)

## FOR YOUTH AFFAIRSAND SPORTS [SHRI KIREN RIJIJU]

- (a) Yes Sir. The main objective of Fit India Movement is to create awareness  amongst  all  the  citizens  of  India  about  fitness  and  its importance in  daily  life  through  sports,  yogasan,  walking,  cycling, dancing or any other physical activity.
- (b) To  preserve  and  promote  Indigenous  Sports  in  the  country under  Indigenous  Games  &  Martial  Arts  (IGMA)  Scheme  [sub scheme of National Sports Talent Contest (NSTC)], Sports Authority of India (SAI) has adopted 10 schools to provide regular training to the talented sportspersons in the discipline of Kalaripayattu, Silambam, Kabaddi, Archery, Mallakhamb, Mukna, Thang-Ta, Khomlainai&Gatka. Presently, 128 trainees (73 Boys & 55 Girls) are being  trained  under  these  centres.Similarly,  to  promote  wrestling the  Indian  traditional  sports,  SAI  have  also  adopted  48  Akharas under  NSTC  Scheme  across  the  country.  Presently,  766  talented wrestlers (677 Boys & 89 Girls) are being trained in these Akharas.

Further,  a  vertical  'Promotion  of  Rural  and  Indigenous/  Tribal Games' under Khelo India Scheme has been implemented by Govt. of  India  for  promoting  rural  and  indigenous/  tribal  sports  through identification  of  talent,  provision  of  grant  to  meet  expenditure  on equipment,  apparel,  coaches  training  programme,  infrastructure development, salary for National Sports Federation (NSF) appointed coaches and scholarships for meritorious trainees recommended by NSF. Presently, under the scheme Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka and  Thang-Tasports  disciplineshave  been  identified  for  support  as per the decision taken by Government.

- (c) For the promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games, in the year  2018-19,  23  events  were  exclusively  conducted  in  Rural  and Indigenous Games at 23 different locations across the country as a part  of  'Ek  Bharat  Shreshtha  Bharat'  programme.  In  these  events about  1500  players  participated.  These  disciplines  included  Sqay, Kho-Kho, Kalaripayattu, Mallakhamb and Roll Ball as under:
- (d) Traditional  rural  and  indigenous  games  generally  exist  in informal  setup  and  do  not  have  adequate  leaders.    Government's emphasis on promotion of rural and indigenous games has encouraged leadership and formalization of the same.
- (e) The following initiatives have been taken by the Government to  promote  the  traditional  rural  and  indigenous  games  in  the country:
- i. Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Thang-Ta are being supported  under  the  vertical  of  'Promotion  of  Rural  and Indigenous/Tribal Games' under the Khelo India Scheme.
- ii. Total  amount  of  Rs.10.85  crore  have  been  sanctioned  for the year 2019-20 for infrastructure development, equipment support,  appointment  of  coaches,  training  of  coaches  and scholarships.
- iii. 335 Medal Winners of Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Thang-Ta  are  being  given  scholarship  of  Rs.10,000/-  per month, per athlete for a period of one year. At present, 185 athletes are receiving the Scholarships from 1 st  Oct 2019 as recommended by NSF.
- iv.

| Mallakhamb    | - Four Demonstration Events   |
|---------------|-------------------------------|
| Sqay          | - Three Demonstration Events  |
| Kalaripayattu | - Nine Demonstration Events   |
| Kho Kho       | - Six Competition events      |

Kho-Kho and Kabaddi disciplines have also been included in Khelo India Youth Games 2020 to be held at Guwahati from 10 th -20 th  January, 2020.

(f) Government  has  taken  a  number  of  steps  to  encourage participation of youth in sports.  Upto 5% reservation is provided in direct requirement in Group C posts for meritorious sportspersons. Sports  Authority  of  India  recruits  Olympians/  Para  Olympians  as Assistant Coach.  Assistance is provided for training of athletes and their  participation  in  exposures  and  completions  including  those held  abroad.    14659  (8701  Residential  and  5958  Non-  residential) sports trainees are being imparted training across the country under the schemes of the Ministry and Sports Authority of India.  Awards and  recognition  are  also  given  to  meritorious  sportspersons.    A decision  has  been  taken  to  allow  use  of  sports  facilities  of  the

Department of Sports free of cost to athletes and coaches.

(g) The  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  vide  it  notification No.F.1-54/2019  (Website/Fit-India)  dated  27 th   September,  2019  has notified  Guidelines  for  an  Institutional  Fitness  Plan  in  the  Higher Educational  Institutions  for  promoting  fitness  and  well  being  in Universities and Colleges, as part of Fit India Movement the same is at Annexure.

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## Annexure  referred  to  in  reply  to  Para  (g)  of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred Question No. 844  to be answered on 21.11.2019 regarding Promotion of Sports through Fit India Movement

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## UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION

## Guidelines for Institutional Fitness Plan in the Higher Educational Institutions

Whereas fitness has always been an integral part of our life;

Whereas modern technologies have led to a sedentary lifestyle and the modern conveniences have diminished the demand for physical activities;

Whereas junk food/fast food have contributed to an unhealthy lifestyle;

Whereas lifestyle diseases are on the rise due to lifestyle disorder;

Whereas  the  government  has  given  fitness  a  national  priority to  motivate  every  person  to come up to sound physical standards; and

Whereas the educational institutions are uniquely placed to promote fitness and well-being among students, teachers and staff in the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs),

The  University  Grants  Commission  hereby  issues  the  following  guidelines  to  promote  a campaign for fitness in the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs):

## Guidelines

## Scope of Guidelines:

- (a) These guidelines are  applicable to  all  Higher  Educational  Institutions  (HEIs)  in  the Country
- (b) They  encourage  HEIs  (universities  and  colleges)  to  adopt  policies  and  practices towards fitness and well being of students and staff.

## Implementation of Fitness plan:

All  HEIs  need  to  accord  high  priority  to  physical  and  mental  fitness  of  students, faculty and staff in the campus.  They should evolve a mechanism for implementation and monitoring of such activities. The following indicative guidelines/steps may be taken in this regard:

1. Incorporating provisions of healthcare and wellness initiatives in the objectives of the institution.
2. Physical fitness period or time slots may be incorporated into the academic calendar of the institutions.  The physical fitness time slots may be staggered throughout  the day to enable all students to participate.
3. All the students, staff and teachers should be encouraged to devote minimum one hour per  day  on  fitness  activities  such  as  exercise,  yoga,  meditation,  walking,  cycling, aerobics, dance, traditional regional martial arts etc.
4. Institutions  should  prepare  Fitness  Leaders  to  mentor  students  for  physical  fitness. Services of student volunteers from the institutions, faculty members, instructors, exservicemen, and other volunteers may be obtained on voluntary basis. Health icons and motivational speakers on health and fitness to address students in campus should be invited.
5. Top leadership of the institution and professors may actively participate with students and staff in fitness activities such as cycling, running, aerobics, walkathon, marathon, yoga, meditation activities etc. on a periodic basis to lead by example.
6. Proper utilization of existing infrastructure, encouraging students to climb stairs, walk at  least  10000  steps  a  day,  use  cycles  within  campus  by  creating  cycling  zones, availing gymnasium facilities etc.
7. Addressing the emotional concerns of students to promote mental health.  Awareness or  sensitisation  workshops  on  depression,  anxiety  and  stress  management  may  be organized for faculty and students.
8. Providing   guidance regarding balanced nutritional diet, distribution of pamphlets and information material on the subject.
9. Frequent organization of sports activities (at  least  once  in  a  quarter)  and  encourage students to participate in such activities.
10. Annual  health  check-ups  by  volunteer  health  doctors  or  voluntary  organisations  to monitor health & fitness of students, faculty and staff.
11. Data pertaining to health and fitness activities of institutions should be placed on the website.  Exemplary  performers  may  be  selected  subsequently  for  National  level awards.

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