Modi accepts Virat’s fitness challenge

It’s not everyday that the sports minister keeps aside his official work and breaks into a bout of push ups.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore did just that and posted his video on Twitter on Tuesday with a brief message – hashtag #HumFitTohIndiaFit and challenged actor Hrithik Roshan and sportspersons Virat Kohli and Saina Nehwal to join in.

“Post pictures and videos of how you keep yourself fit and send a #FitnessChallenge to your friends on social media,” Rathore posted, adding that he was inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s immense energy levels that help him work day and night.

The fitness challenge sparked off a chain reaction, with Roshan, Saina, shuttler P V Sindhu, actors Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma, and wrestler Babita Phogat following suit.

Actor Deepika Padukone shared a video on Instagram. “I am extremely passionate about fitness...and my new obsession...running!Thank You @pvsindhu1 ! I challenge @mithaliraj @ranirampal4 @aditigolf #HumFitTohIndiaFit”,” she said.

Rathore’s ministerial colleagues Harsh Vardhan, Piyush Goyal, Kiren Rijiju and Jayant Sinha also posted videos of their exercise regimes on social media.

The fitness challenge took a political turn when Kohli tagged Modi, a dare he readily accepted.

“Challenge accepted, Virat! I will be sharing my own #FitnessChallenge video soon,” Modi responded on Twitter. Opposition leaders soon joined the party, daring the prime minister to take the governance challenge instead.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi dared Modi to accept the #FuelChallenge and lower petrol prices or be prepared to face nationwide protests.

“Dear PM, Glad to see you accept the @imVkohli fitness challenge. Here’s one from me: Reduce Fuel prices or the Congress will do a nationwide agitation and force you to do so. I look forward to your response,” Rahul said.