Inspired by the 'Fit India' campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that gymnasiums or fitness centres should be opened in railway premises to benefit employees, their wards as well as common people.

Piyush Goyal pushes for fitness centres at railway premises  

Piyush Goyal made these remarks while felicitating Bajrang Punia, a Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee, and several other sports personalities who are employees of the Indian Railways. The minister gave a cheque of Rs 7.5 lakh to Punia and Rs five lakh to Arjuna awardees S Baskaran, Sonia Lather, Chinglensana Singh Kangujam and Poonam Yadav. He also felicitated Dhyanchand awardee Nitten Kirrtane with a cheque of the same amount. Inspired by the Fit India Campaign launched by the Prime Minister, Goyal advised officials that Indian Railways should start 'Fit Railway, Fit India' campaign and all employees should participate in fitness activities, a statement by the Ministry of Railways said.

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Fitness Centres and gymnasiums at railway premises

Piyush Goyal also advised them that gymnasiums or fitness centres should be opened in railway premises to benefit the staff and their wards, as well as common people, he said. The Indian Railways has a long tradition of having renowned sportspersons on its rolls. So far, 23 Padmashree, 166 Arjuna, 11 Dhyanchand, 9 Dronacharya and 6 Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awards have been conferred on railway personnel. Continuing with this glorious legacy, this year too six sportspersons won awards, the ministry said.

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Developments by Indian Railways

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has also come up with a new policy pertaining to food provided in trains. The policy will ensure that the passengers will have an enhanced experience with the Indian Railways. According to the new policy, the IRCTC has announced that in case a bill has not been provided for the food purchased. If the bill is not provided then passengers can have the food for free. In a bid to create awareness about the policy, the service staff of the Kota Jan Shatabdi Express and Jammu Tawi Express have been providing uniforms with a message to create awareness.

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FIT INDIA MOVEMENT

The Fit India Movement is an initiative that was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 29. The initiative was launched to encourage people to take up fitness and health consciousness seriously.   PM Modi in his address said that said that health consciousness is the key to good health. Speaking at Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi, Prime Minister urged all to make it a mass movement similar to that of Swaach Bharat Mission.

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(With PTI inputs)