Address by Governor at the release of the Diwali Ank (Special Diwali Issue) Arogya Deep

Address by Shri CH. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharashtra at the release of the Diwali Ank (Special Diwali Issue) ’Arogya Deep’, at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai at 4.30 pm on Friday, 16th November 2018

Dr Deepak Sawant, Hon’ble Minister for Public Health and Family Welfare, Government of Maharashtra, Dr Swapnesh Sawant, Director, Anideep Eye Hospital, Shri Anand Limaye, Publisher, India Printing Works, Dr Deepak Namjoshi, members of the editorial board, senior government officials, all eminent writers, doctors, surgeons, distinguished invitees, ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening and greetings to you.

At the outset I extend a warm welcome to each one of you to Raj Bhavan.

Even though the festival of Diwali is over, the festive mood of Diwali is still lingering. More so, since we are releasing the Diwali Special issue ‘Arogya Deep’ today. त्यामुळे, सर्व प्रथम मी आपणा सर्वांना दीपावलीनिमित्त आरोग्यदायी शुभेच्छा देतो.

The festival of Diwali in Maharashtra is incomplete without three things: Number 1. Diwali Faral, Sweets and delicacies; Number 2. Diwali Lamps and Number 3. Diwali Magazines.

Indeed, Maharashtra has this unique tradition of publishing Diwali Special magazines. To my knowledge, there are very few parallels, if any, to this tradition of publishing wonderful annual magazines in other languages. This is something I feel jealous about.

Today, hundreds of Diwali magazines, dedicated to different subjects, such as Literature, Poetry, Astrology, Yoga, Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Entertainment and numerous other subjects are published from Maharashtra. Many newspapers have made it a practice to bring out their own Diwali magazines.

The popularity of the Diwali magazines shows that the people of Maharashtra have a higher taste for reading and appreciating good literature and knowledge content.

I wish to congratulate Minister Dr Deepak Sawant for conceiving and publishing the Diwali magazine ‘Arogya Deep’ dedicated to the theme ‘Obesity and Lifestyle Diseases’.

The magazine has come out really well, the credit of which goes to all writers, printers and publishers. I am happy that the magazine has articles in Marathi as well as in the English language.

आपल्याला वाटत असेल की, गव्हर्नरला मराठी भाषा येत नाही. पण तसे नाही. मला मराठी भाषा समजते. मी मराठी बातम्या पाहतो. मराठी सिनेमे देखील पाहतो आणि मराठी साहित्य पण वाचतो !!

I found the magazine ‘Arogya Deep’ highly informative and interesting. The quality of printing and the quality of write-ups is very high and I am sure, this magazine will give a run for money to many other established Diwali magazines.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Obesity and lifestyle diseases are emerging as silent epidemics. Our lifestyles have changed drastically.

Our eating habits have changed; our sleeping timings have changed. People are not getting enough sleep. Many of our youths prefer not to sleep at night. Sleep deprivation brings its own set of problems.

One more hidden enemy has entered into our life. The enemy is stress. Stress is exacting a heavy toll on the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people of all ages, including children.

On one hand, India is acquiring the dubious distinction as the diabetes capital of the world, on the other hand, obesity rates are rapidly increasing in our country.

According to one statistics, worldwide 39 per cent of adults were overweight and 13 per cent were obese in 2016. What is deeply worrying is that school children are increasingly getting obese.

Obesity is bringing with it, a set of problems such as Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart ailments and a variety of cancer.

These new diseases can negate our gains of being the youngest nation in the world.

If we do not address these health challenges urgently, our demographic dividend will turn into a demographic disaster.

Time has come to view obesity and lifestyle diseases as a serious challenge to public health and come up with a protocol to address them in the right earnest.

Creating awareness among parents, teachers, children and society about obesity, lifestyle disease and food habits could be the first major step towards addressing the challenge. ‘Arogya Deep’ is an affirmative step towards empowering people with right knowledge.

The other day, our cricketing legend Bharat Ratna Sachin Tedulkar met me. Shri Tendulkar proposed the launching of ‘Mission Young and Fit India’ across universities in the State. He made a simple plea that every child, every student and every youth should spend at least one hour to play. I fully endorse his view.

We should explore the possibility of organizing a compulsory medical camp in every school at the start of the academic year. We may organize expert talks to create awareness among children about healthy lifestyle, obesity and other issues. A free dental check up camp can also be organized. Enlightening children and conducting health check-up well in time will avoid future health complications in many cases.

Maharashtra has produced a Saint in the form of Sant Gadge Baba who dedicated his entire life in promoting cleanliness for good health and hygiene. Likewise, Maharashtra has also produced a Saint, like Sant Ramdas in the 17th Century, who laid stress on physical exercise for building a strong nation. We must strive to produce ‘Healthy Maharashtra’ to create a Healthy India.

‘Arogya Deep’ is a book-collector’s delight. Many eminent doctors, surgeons and diet experts have enriched the magazine through their writings. I congratulate all contributors to the magazine and the publishers.

Of course, Dr Deepak Sawant deserves a rousing applause for bringing out a quality magazine for promoting good health. I applaud his decision to distribute the magazine free of cost to thousands of people.

I congratulate Dr Sawant, members of the Editorial Team and all those associated with the publication of ‘Arogya Deep’. I take great pleasure in releasing the magazine.

Thank you.

Jai Hind ! Jai Maharashtra !!