Dr Preeti Sharma, Dr Vikas Sharma
As the tricolor graces the sky and speeches about progress echo in every corner, let’s pause for a moment this Republic Day to ask ourselves-how “healthy” is this dream of a Healthy India? Sure, we’ve got campaigns, hashtags, and app trackers counting every calorie we burn, but is it enough when the youth, the supposed torchbearers of the nation, are too tired to hold the torch?
India’s youth today is a fascinating contradiction. On one hand, they’re sipping overpriced kale smoothies to “detox,” while on the other, they’re binge-eating junk food at 2 a.m. in the name of “self-care.” They boast about wearing smartwatches to track their 500 daily steps-because walking to the fridge for another soda counts, right? A generation obsessed with fitness reels but rarely seen outside their Wi-Fi zones is somehow expected to lead the nation into the future.
The truth is, health in India has become more about appearances than action. Gyms are overcrowded in January and abandoned by February, much like New Year resolutions. Mental health awareness? Trending on social media, ignored in real life. And let’s not even get started on diets-where “gluten-free” and “zero-carb” dominate conversations while pani puri stalls remain packed. If hypocrisy was a sport, we’d win Olympic gold every year.
But it’s not just the youth. Let’s talk about the adults, too-the ones who proudly claim they’ve never taken a day off in 25 years, as if self-neglect is a badge of honor. Skipping breakfast, surviving on chai, and popping painkillers for that never-ending back pain are apparently signs of dedication. Sure, you’re working hard for the nation, but how useful will you be when you’re bedridden before retirement?
And then there’s the irony of a nation that’s proud of its rich cultural heritage but has forgotten its own wisdom. Yoga and Ayurveda have been marketed back to us by the West, and now we attend expensive retreats to “rediscover” what our grandmothers tried to teach us for free. Meanwhile, the air we breathe is slowly turning into a poison gas mix, and instead of solving the problem, we’re debating whether buying oxygen cylinders will be the next lifestyle trend.
Let’s not forget mental health. Stress and burnout are the new normal. Therapy is still seen as something for the “weak,” but hey, motivational quotes on WhatsApp will surely cure depression, right? Add to that the endless comparison on social media, where everyone else seems to be living a better, fitter, happier life. No wonder the youth feels like they’re running a race they didn’t even sign up for.
This Republic Day, as the speeches about India’s bright future roll out, maybe we should ask some uncomfortable questions. Like, why does half the workforce need three cups of coffee just to survive a morning meeting? Why is childhood obesity rising when we’re supposedly becoming a “Fit India”? Why is mental health still whispered about in family gatherings, right after the aunties are done judging everyone’s weight?
A Healthy India isn’t just a catchy slogan for government campaigns. It’s a responsibility. A responsibility that doesn’t end with buying gym equipment that doubles as clothes racks or downloading meditation apps you never use. It means real change-balanced diets without the need for imported chia seeds, fitness that goes beyond selfies, and mental health care that isn’t dismissed as “overthinking.”
So, this Republic Day, let’s celebrate by not just waving the flag but also by taking small steps to ensure that the people holding that flag are healthy enough to carry it into the future. Otherwise, we’re just a nation full of tired, stressed, overworked individuals dreaming of a healthier tomorrow while munching on fries today.
And to all those making excuses right now-yes, you can start by walking to your nearest park. No, you don’t need a smartwatch to tell you that moving your body is good for you. Here’s to hoping 2025 is the year India doesn’t just dream of being healthy but actually takes a step (or two) toward making it happen. Preferably without stopping for chai and samosa along the way.
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