Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar stressed upon leading a healthy lifestyle, saying fit citizens make a robust country.
He was speaking after flagging off the IDBI Federal Life Insurance Half Marathon here from South Mumbai at 5:45am.
The right-handed batsman also flagged off the 10K Timed Run and a 5K Heritage Run after the half marathon.
“As far as health and lifestyle is concerned there are certain adjustments which we all need to make and then make sure that we lead a healthy lifestyle,” Tendulkar said.
“The participants just now. I strongly believe that they are our heroes, in the sense that it is not easy to complete a 21km distance on your feet, when you have a car or a bike its much easier and to do able to do that it requites a lot of discipline, dedication, planning and then execution, to be able to to that, it’s fantastic, they are all charged up and I experienced that,” the 43-year-old said.
“When we talk about health or fitness, people want to invariably discuss less. When we speak about eating, then we spend more time on the dining table. When we spend time in the gymnasium, we are looking at the watch, when finish our workout and getting out of the gym.
“But when we reverse these roles and spend more time in the gym and spend less time on the dining table, then our weight gets reduced and we get fitter. I will advise people to take care of their health, if we are healthy, then the country will be healthy. We shall take care of ourselves and it will have a positive impact on the country,” he added.
“It is a massive day for Mumbai and specially for the athletes who are health conscious and the energy and spirit, vibrancy that I have experienced here is magnificent. This is a great initiative by IDBI Federal Life Insurance to promote something which is going to have a positive impact on all of us, common man I would say.”
According to the cricket icon, he is extremely happy that the mega-polis has responded in such a positive manner to the half marathon.
“From here we go from strength to strength. There are two more marathons planned, one in Delhi and one in Kolkata. I am looking for that vibrancy and energy in Kolkata and Delhi.
I want to thank everyone in Mumbai for having responded so positively and hope it continues and there are many more to follow,” Tendulkar said.
“If a person is fit, be it in any field, you can be engineer, lawyer or a doctor, the results will be good if you are fit,” he said.
From Agencies, Feature image courtesy cricketcountry
