Dubai: Prime Minister Narendra Modi uploaded a personal exercise video on Twitter for the viral trend #FitnessChallenge. And the rest, as they say, is history! Tweeps went into overdrive.
Here are moments from my morning exercises. Apart from Yoga, I walk on a track inspired by the Panchtatvas or 5 elements of nature - Prithvi, Jal, Agni, Vayu, Aakash. This is extremely refreshing and rejuvenating. I also practice
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 13 June 2018
breathing exercises. #HumFitTohIndiaFit pic.twitter.com/km3345GuV2
He was nominated for the challenge by Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, according to reports.
The video was posted on Modi’s official handle, @narendramodi and got 48,000 likes with 16,000 retweets. Twitterati used images of the prime minister striking different exercise poses and made memes and posters about him, poking merciless fun at his attempt.
People weren’t impressed by the video, including newly appointed Karnataka Chief Minister, Haradanahalli Devegowda Kumaraswamy, who was nominated to participate by Modi himself.
Kumaraswamy tweeted from @CMofKarnataka: “Dear @narendramodi ji, I am honoured and I thank you very much for [your] concern about my health. I believe physical fitness is important for all and I support the cause. Yoga [and] treadmill are a part of my daily workout regime. Yet, I am more concerned about development fitness [in] my state and seek your support for it.”
Dear @narendramodi ji
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) 13 June 2018
I am honoured& thankU very much for d concern about my health
I believe physical fitness is imptnt for all&support d cause. Yoga-treadmill r part of my daily workout regime.
Yet, I am more concerned about devlpment fitness of my state&seek ur support for it.
While Modi has not responded to the Chief Minister’s statement, other tweeps also criticised Modi and said he was “wasting time” with such antics.
@JohinMathew posted: “Mr. Prime Minister, we would like to see our Prime Minister be a prime Minister and not an actor-entertainer. Please utilise time to improve the people living in our country instead doing gimmicks and words through Twitter and stages. Sir we need someone a ruler not an actor.”
@narendramodi Mr. Prime Minister,we would like to see our prime Minister to be prime Minister and not an actor entertainer.Please utilize time to improve the people living in our country instead doing gimmicks and words through Twitter and stages.Sir we need a ruler not an actor
— Johin Mathew (@JohinMathew) 13 June 2018
Tweep @damanmahajan posted: “Now I see your concern for the real things. Why don’t you become a yoga instructor rather than the Prime Minister? I guess that’s a profession well suited for you because you have all the time to respond to these challenges, but no time for responding to country’s problems.”
@TheDesiEdge added: “...How low will he stoop?”
The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister of India, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore started the challenge late last month using #HumFitTohIndiaFit and since then, many celebrities have taken up this task.
#HumFitTohIndiaFit 🇮🇳🏆
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) 22 May 2018
Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media. Here's my video 😀and I challenge @iHrithik, @imVkohli & @NSaina to join in🥊 pic.twitter.com/pYhRY1lNEm
A few social media users praised the Prime Minister and called him an “inspiration”. @Sumitkadel tweeted: “[If Modi is fit, India is fit.] God bless you with very long life Modi Ji.”
@lamsunil commented on Modi’s video and said: “Thank you for sharing this video sir #NarendraModi. I think if you are fit physically and mentally, you will be more content and productive in all spheres of life. [Doing yoga] and [connecting] with the nature its best way to achieve it. #HumFitTohIndiaFit.”
In his tweet, Modi also nominated table tennis player Manika Batra and Indian Police Service officers for the challenge.
